



,0* *o 



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JVO. S. 



ikioRicAL Classic Rdidincs 



THE 



DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 



Washington Irving. 



With Introduction. 



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HlSTOmCAL CLASSIC READINGS.-No. 1. 



THE 



Discovery of America, 



FROM 



iRViNG's Life of Columbus. 



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1. Discovery of America. WASHitsCTON Irving. 
3. Settlement of Vii-j;;iiiia. Cmt. John Smith. 

3. History of Plyiuoutli Plantation. Gov. William Bkad- 

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4. King: Philip's War, and Witchcraft in New England. 

Gov. Thomas Hutchinson. 

5. Discovery azul Exploration of the Mississippi Valley. 

John Gilmary Shea. 

6. Champlain and His Associates. Francis Parkman. 

7. Braddock's Defeat. Francis Parkman. 

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Life of Irvi:n~g. 



"Washington Irving, one of the earliest and most popular of American 
authors, and of whom Thackeray happily spoke as ' ' the first ambassador 
whom the New World of Letters sent to the Old," was born in New York 
City, in 1783. He received only a common-school education, leaving the 
school-room at sixteen, yet for many years afterward pursued a systematic 
course of reading of the standard authors, especially Chaucer, Spenser, and 
Bunyan. In his boyhood days he seemed to have a natural talent for writ- 
ing essays and stories. As he always detested mathematics, he often wrote 
compositions for his school-mates, and they in turn worked out his prob- 
lems for him. He studied law for a time, but not being inclined to submit 
to the drudgery of a profession, preferred to employ himself in rambling 
excursions around Manhattan Island, by which he became familiar with the 
beautiful scenery which he afterward made famous by his pen. Thus he 
acquired that minute knowledge of various historical locations, curious 
traditions, and legends, so beautifully made use of in his Sketch-Book and 
History of New York. In 1804, being threatened with pulmonary disease, 
he sailed for Europe, and remained abroad for nearly two years. On his 
return, he undertook to resume his legal practice, but without success. In 
company with others, he began the publication of a serial called " Salma- 
gundi." It was well conducted, and proved successful. In 1809 he pub- 
lished his Knickerhockef s History of New York, ' ' the most unique, perfectly 
rounded, and elaborately sustained burlesque in our literature." He con- 
ducted a magazine in Philadelphia for two years, to which he contributed 
articles afterward included in the Sketch- Book. In 1814 he served as an aid 
to Governor Tompkins, and at the end of the war again went to Europe, 
where he continued to live for the next seventeen years. By the failure of 
his brother he lost all his property, and having been thus thrown upon his 
own resources, he devoted himself to literature to earn a living. His Sketch- 
Book was published in 1819. By the personal influence of Sir Walter Scott 
it was republished in London, and at once established Irving's reputation as 
a great author. 



4 LIFE OF IRVING. 

His next works were Bracebridge Hall, published in 1822, and Tales of a 
Traveler, in 1824. Having been commissioned to make some translations 
from the Spanish, he took up his residence in Madrid. To this residence in 
Spain we are indebted for some of his most charming works, as, Life of 
Columbus, Conquest of Oranada, The Alhambra, Mahomet and his Successors, 
and Spanish Papers. He returned to America in 1832. During the next 
ten years were published Astoria, Adventures of Captain Bonneville, and 
Wolfert's Boost. In 1842 Irving was appointed Minister to Spain. His Life 
of Goldsmith was published four years later, after his return home. His 
last and most carefully written work was the Life of Washington, in five 
volumes. 

Irving's last years were passed at " Sunnyside," his delightful residence at 
Tarrytown, on the Hudson, in the midst of the beautiful scenes which he has 
immortalized, Irving died November 28, 1859, the same year with Prescott, 
the historian, and Macaulay. A friend who saw much of our author in his 
latter days thus describes him: "Pie had dark gray eyes, a handsome 
straight nose, which might perhaps be called large ; a broad, high, full fore- 
head, and a small mouth. I should call him of medium height, about 
five feet and nine inches, and inclined to be a trifle stout. His smile was 
exceedingly genial, lightening up his whole face, and rendering it very 
attractive ; while if he were about to say anything humorous, it would beam 
forth from his eyes even before his words were spoken." 

In one of his charming "Easy Chair" essays, George William Curtis says : 
" Irving was as quaint a figure as the Diedrich Knickerbocker in the 
preliminary advertisement of the History of New York. Thirty years ago 
he might have been seen on an autumnal afternoon, tripping with an elastic 
step along Broadway, with low quartered shoes neatly tied, and a Talma 
cloak— a short garment like the cape of a coat. There was a chirping, 
cheery, old-school air in his appearance which was undeniably Dutch, and 
most harmonious with the association of his writing. He seemed, indeed, to 
have stepped out of his own books ; and the cordial grace and humor of his 
address, if he stopped for a passing chat, were delightfully characteristic. 
He was then our most famous man of letters, but he was simply free from 
all self -consciousness and assumption and dogmatism." 



Note.— Through the courtesy of G. P. Putnam's Sons, the authorized publishers of 
Irving's complete works, the editor has been allowed to use the text of their standard 
edition of the Life and Voyages of Columbus. 



Washikgtoit Irvikg. 1783—1859. 

" Washington Irving ! Why, gentlemen, I don't go upstairs to bed two nights 
out of the seven without taking Washington Irving under my arm." — Charles 
J}ickens. 

" I know of no books which are oftener lent than those that bear the pseudo- 
nym of ' Geoffrey Crayon. ' Few, very few, can show a long succession so pure, 
so graceful, and so varied, as Mr. Irving." — Mari/ Russell Mitford. 

'* Rich and original humor, great refinement of feeling and delicacy of senti- 
ment. Style accurately finished, easy, and transparent. Accurate observer : his 
descriptions are correct, animated, and beautiful." — George S. Hillard. 

"If he wishes to study a style which possesses the characteristic beauties of 
Addison's, its ease, simplicity, and elegance, with greater accuracy, point, and 
spirit, let him give his days and nights to the volumes of Irving." — Edioard 
EveretVs Advice to a Student. 

" He seems to have been born with a rare sense of literary proportion and 
form ; into this, as into a mold, were run his apparently lazy and really acute 
observations of life. That he thoroughly mastered such literature as he fancied 
there is abundant evidence ; that his style was influenced by the purest Enghsh 
models is also apparent. But there remains a large margin for wonder how, with 
his want of training, he could have elaborated a style which is distinctly his own, 
and is as copious, felicitous in the choice of words, flowing, spontaneous, flexi- 
ble, engaging, clear, and as little wearisome when read continuously in quantity 
as any in the English tongue." — C. D. Warner. 

" In his family, gentle, generous, good-humored, affectionate, self-denying ; in 
society, a delightful example of complete gentlemanhood ; quite unspoiled by 
prosperity ; never obsequious to the great ; eager to acknowledge every con- 
temporary's merit ; always kind and affable with the young members of his call- 
ing ; in his professional bargains and mercantile dealings delicately honest and 
grateful. He was, at the same time, one of the most charming masters of our 
lighter language ; the constant friend to us and our nation ; to men of letters 
doubly dear, not for his wit and genius merely, but as an exemplar of goodness, 
probity, and a pure life."— IFw. M. Thackeray. 



Note. — This volume contains a condensed account of the first voyage of Columbus^ in 
Irving''s own words. The condensation has been j^ossible by a simple and judicious 
eUmination of details unimportant to the narrative. 



Christopher Columbus. 



CHAPTER I. 
Birth, Parentage, axd Early Life of Columbus. 

To the Teacher Instead of defining the difficult words used only in their dictionary 

meaning, it has been thought better to group them, for special study, at the end of each 
chapter. 

Christopher Columbus, or Colombo, as the name is written 
in Italian, was born in the city of Genoa, about the year 
1435. He was the son of Dominico Colombo, a wool-comber, 
and it would seem that his ancestors 
had followed the same handicraft for 
several generations in Genoa. At- 
tempts have been made to prove him 
of illustrious descent, and several 
noble houses have laid claim to him 
since his name has become so re- 
nowned as to confer rather than re- 
ceive distinction. The fact, how- 
ever, is not material to his fame ; 
and it is a higher proof of merit to 
be the object of contention among 
various noble families than to be able to substantiate the most 
illustrious lineage. His son Fernando had a true feeling on the 
subject. ''I am of opinion, '^ says he, " that I should derive 




Christopher Columbus. 



1. Columbus. — Latin form of Co- 
lombo. Columbus Latinized his 
name in bis letters according to the 
usage of the time, when Latin was 
the language of learned correspond- 
ence. 



2. Gen'o-a. — An Italian sea-port 

tOWTl. 

3. Dominico (dom-i-nee'co) Co-lum'- 



bo. 



8. Illustrious descent. — Meaning 



off 



8 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



less dignity from any nobility of ancestry than from being the 

20 son of such a father/^ 

At a very early age Columbus evinced a decided inclination 
for the sea ; his education, therefore, was mainly directed to fit 
him for maritime life, but was as general as the narrow means 
of his father would permit. Besides the ordinary branches of 

25 reading, writing, grammar, and arithmetic, he was instructed in 
the Latin tongue, and made some j)roficiency in drawing and 
design. For a short time, also, he was sent to the university 
of Pavia, where he studied geometry, geography, astronomy, and 
navigation. He then returned to Genoa, wdiere,- according to a 

gQ contemporary historian, he assisted his father in his trade of 
wool-combing. He could not, however, have remained long in 
this employment, as, according to his own account, he entered 
upon a nautical life when but fourteen years of age. 

The nautical propensity evinced by Columbus in early life is 

35 common to boys of enterprising spirit and lively imagination 
brought up in maritime cities ; to whom the sea is the high- 
road to adventure and the region of romance. Genoa, too, 
walled in and straitened on the land side by rugged mountains, 
yielded but little scope for enterprise on shore, while an opulent 

^oand widely extended commerce, visiting every country, and a 
roving marine, battling in every sea, naturally led forth her 
children upon the waves, as their propitious element. 

The strong passion for geographical knowledge, also, felt by 
Columbus in early life, and which inspired his after- career, was 

^5 incident to the age in which he lived. Geographical discovery 
was the brilliant path of light which was forever to distinguish 
the fifteenth century. 

The short time passed by him at the university of Pavia 
was barely sufficient to give him the rudiments of the necessary 

50 sciences ; the familiar acquaintance with them which he evinced 



28. Pavia (pil-vee'a). 
ITorthern Italy. 
41. Marine. — ITavy. 



-A citj 



45. Age. — Meaning of? 

46. Path of light. - 
caVed? 



Why 80 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



9 



in after-life must have been the result of diligent self-school- 
ing, in casual hours of study amid the cares and vicissitudes of 
a rugged and wandering life. He was one of those men of 
strong natural genius who, from having to contend at their 
very outset with privations and impediments, acquire an in- 55 
trepidity in encountering and a facility in vanquishing diffi- 
culties, throughout their career. Such men learn to effect great 
purposes with small means, supplying this deficiency by the 
resources of their own energy and invention. This, from his 
earliest commencement, throughout the whole of his life, was 60 
one of the remarkable features in the history of Columbus. In 
every undertaking, the scantiness and apparent insufficiency of 
his means enhance the grandeur of his achievements. 



Give the Tneaning of the following 


words : 




Lineage. 


Propensity. 


Inspired. 


Encountering. 


Evinced, 


Enterprising. 


Rudiments. 


Facility. 


Maritime. 


Straitened. 


Casual. 


Vanquishing. 


Proficiency. 


Scope. 


Vicissitudes. 


Deficiency. 


Contemporary. 


Opulent. 


Impediments. 


Scantiness. 


Nautical. 


Propitious. 


Intrepidity. 


Enhance. 



CHAPTER II. 



Early Voyages of Columbus — Discovery under Prince 
Henry of Portugal. 

Columbus, as has been observed, commenced his nautical 
career when about fourteen years of age. His first voyages were 
made with a distant relative named Colombo, a hardy veteran 
of the seas, who had risen to some distinction by his bravery, 
and is occasionally mentioned in old chronicles ; sometimes as 5 
commanding a squadron of his own, sometimes as an admiral in 
the Genoese service. He appears to have been bold and adven- 
turous ; ready to fight in any cause, and to seek quarrel wher- 
ever it might lawfully be found. 

During an interval of many years we have but one or two 10 



10 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



shadowy traces of Columbus. He is supposed to have been 
principally engaged on the Mediterranean and up the Levant ; 
sometimes in commercial voyages; sometimes in the warlike con- 
tests between the Italian states; sometimes in pious and preda- 

15 tory expeditions against the Infidels. 

The career of modern discovery had commenced shortly before 
the time of Columbus, and at the period of which we are treating 
was prosecuted with great activity by Portugal. 

The grand impulse to discovery was not given by chance, but 

20 was the deeply meditated eif ort of one master-mind. This was 
Prince Henry of Portugal. The character of this illustrious 
man, from whose enterprises the genius of Columbus took ex- 
citement, deserves particular mention. 

Having accompanied his father into Africa, in an expedition 

25 against the Moors, he received much information concerning the 
coast of Guinea, and other regions in the interior, hitherto un- 
known to Europeans, and conceived an idea that important dis- 
coveries were to be made by navigating along the western coast of 
Africa. On returning to Portugal, this idea became his ruling 

30 thought. To settle this question was an object worthy the 
ambition of a prince, and his mind was fired with the idea of 
the vast benefits that would arise to his country should it be ac- 
complished by Portuguese enterprise. 

For a long time the merchandise of India was conveyed by 

35 the Gulf of Persia, the Euphrates, the Indus, and the Oxus, to 
the Caspian and the Mediterranean seas; thence to take a new 
destination for the various marts of Europe. 



12. Le-vant'.— The Orient. Espe- 
cially the countries of Turkey, Syria, 
Asia Minor, Ei^ypt, etc. 

14. Italian states. — Venice, Flor- 
ence, Genoa, Naples, Sicily, Parma, 
etc. 

15. Infidels. — The Mo - ham'me- 
dans. 

18. "Soxivi^dl.— Where situated? 



22. Took excitement. — Meaning of? 

2.5. Moors. — Inhabitants of the 
northern coast of Africa. 

26. Guinea (gin'e).— A country in 
Western Africa. 

34-36. India, Gulf of Persia, the 
Euphrates, the Indus, the Caspian, 
and the Mediterranean seas. — Locate 
these on the map. 



OltRISfOPffER COLXiMnm. 11 

It was the grand idea of Prince Henry, by circumnavigating 
Africa to open a direct and easy route to the source of this com- 
merce, to turn it in a golden tide upon his country. He was, 40 
however, before the age in thought, and had to counteract igno- 
rance and prejudice, and to endure the delays to which vivid and 
penetrating minds are subjected, from the tardy co-operations of 
the dull and the doubtful. The navigation of the Atlantic was 
yet in its infancy. Mariners looked with distrust upon a bois- 45 
terous expanse, which appeared to have no opposite shore, and 
feared to venture out of sight of the landmarks. Every bold 
headland and far-stretching promontory was a wall to bar their 
progress. They crept timorously along the Barbary shores, 
and thought they had accomplished a wonderful expedition 50 
when they had ventured a few degrees beyond the Straits of 
Gibraltar. 

Independent of these vague fears, they had others, sanctioned 
by philosophy itself. They still thought that the earth, at the 
equator, was girdled by a torrid zone, over which the sun held 55 
his vertical and fiery course^ separating the hemispheres by a 
region of impassive heat. They fancied Cape Bojador the 
utmost boundary of secure enterprise, and had a superstitious 
belief that whoever doubled it would never return. They looked 
with dismay upon the rapid currents of its neighborhood, and 60 
the furious surf which beats upon its arid coast. They imagined 
that beyond it lay the frightful region of the torrid zone, scorched 
by a blazing sun ; a region of fire, where the very waves which 
beat upon the shores boiled under the intolerable fervor of the 
heavens. 65 

To dispel these errors, and to give a scojoe to navigation equal 



45. In its in.idi.nQY.— Meaning of? 
49. Barbary shores. — Northern 
coast of Africa. 



53. Vague fears. — Meaning of? 

55. Zone. — Literally, a belt. 

56. Vertical course. — Followinsr 



51. Degrees. — What is the length of the equator. 

a degree at the equator ? Straits of 57. Impassive. — Impassable. • 

Gibraltar. — Locate. \ Bojador, —Pronounced bozh ador'. 



12 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBTTS. 



to the grandeur of his designs. Prince Henry established a naval 
college, and erected an observatory. 

The eUects of this establishment were soon apparent. All 

70 that was known relative to geography and navigation was gath- 
ered together and reduced to system. A vast improvement took 
place in maps. The compass was also brought into more general 
use, especially among the Portuguese, rendering the mariner 
more bold and venturous, by enabling him to navigate in the 

75 most gloomy day and in the darkest night. Encouraged by these 
advantages, and stimulated by the munificence of Prince Henry, 
the Portuguese marine became signalized for the hardihood of its 
enterprises and the extent of its discoveries. Cape Bojador was 
doubled ; the region of the tropics penetrated, and divested of 

80 its fancied terrors ; the greater part of the African coast, from 
Cape Blanco to Capede Verde, explored; and the Cape de Verde 
and Azore islands, which lay three hundred leagues distant from 
the continent, were rescued from the oblivious empire of the 
ocean. 

85 Henry died on the 13th of November, 1473, without accom- 
plishing the great object of his ambition. It was not until many 
years afterward that Vasco de Gama, pursuing with a Portuguese 
fleet the track he had pointed out, realized his anticipations by 
doubling the Cape of Good Hope, sailing along the southern 

go coast of India, and thus opening a highway for commerce to the 
opulent regions of the East. 

The fame of the Portuguese discoveries, and of the expeditions 
continually setting out, drew the attention of the world. Stran- 
gers from all parts, the learned, the curious, and the adventurous, 

n5 resorted to Lisbon to inquire into the particulars or to participate 
in the advantages of these enterprises. Among these was Chris- 
topher Columbus. 



81. Cape Blanco, Cape de Verde, 
Azore islands — W7ie7v are they f 

82. Three hundred leagues. — How 
many miles ? 



87. Vasco de Gama (gah'mali). 

Many years afterward — 1497. 

89 Doubling the Cape of Good Hope. 
— Meaning of? 



CHRISTOPHER CO LUM BUS. 

Give tToe meaning of the following words : 



13 



Veteran. 


Conceived. 


Sanctioned. 


Compass. 


Chronicles. 


Circumnavigating. 


Philosophy. 


Venturous. 


Squadron. 


Vivid 


Equator. 


Stimulated. 


Admiral. 


Penetrating. 


Girdled. 


Munificence. 


Predatory. 


Co-operation 


Superstitious. 


Divested. 


Expedition. 


Distrust. 


Arid 


Explored. 


Prosecuted. 


Boisterous. 


Fervor. 


Oblivious. 


Meditated. 


Timorously. 


Observatory. 


Participate. 




CHAPTER in. 





Columbus at Lisbois' — He Believes in the Existence of 
Undiscovered Lands in the West. 

Columbus arrived at Lisbon about the year 1470. He was at 
that time in the full vigor of manhood, and of an engaging 
presence. Minute descriptions are given of his person by his 
son Fernando, by Las Casas, and others of his contemporaries. 
According to these accounts, he was tall, well-formed, muscular, 5 
and of an elevated and dignified demeanor. His visage was 
long, and- neither full nor meager ; his complexion fair and 
freckled, and inclined to ruddy ; his nose aquiline ; his cheek- 
bones were rather high, his eyes light gray, and apt to enkindle ; 
his whole countenance had an air of authority. His hair, in his 10 
youthful days, was of a light color ; but care and trouble, ac- 
cording to Las Casas, soon turned it gray, and at thirty years of 
age it was quite white. He was moderate and' simple in diet 
and apparel, eloquent in discourse, engaging and affable with 
strangers, and his amiableness and suavity in domestic life 15 
strongly attached his household to his person. His temper was 
naturally irritable; but he subdued it by the magnanimity of his 
spirit, comporting himself with a courteous and gentle gravity, 
and never indulging in any intemperance of language. Through- 
out his life he was noted for strict attention to the offices of relig- 20 
ion, observing rigorously the fasts and ceremonies of the church; 
nor did his piety consist in mere forms, but partook of that lofty 



14 GHRISTOPHEli COLUMBUS. 

and solemn enthusiasm with which his whole character was 
strongly tinctured. 

25 While at Lisbon, he was accustomed to attend religious service 
at the chapel of the convent of All Saints. In this convent were 
certain ladies of rank, either resident as boarders, or in some re- 
ligious capacity. With one of these Columbus became ac- 
quainted. The acquaintance soon ripened into attachment, and 

30 ended in marriage. It appears to have been a match of mere 
affection, as the lady was destitute of fortune. 

The newly married couple resided with the mother of the 
bride. The mother, perceiving the interest which Columbus 
took in all matters concerning the sea, related to him all she 

35 knew of the voyages and expeditions of her late husband, and 
brought him all his papers, charts, journals, and memorandums. 
In this way he became acquainted with the routes of the Portu- 
guese, their plans and conceptions ; and having, by his marriage 
and residence, become naturalized in Portugal, he sailed occa- 

4osionally in the expeditions to the coast of Guinea. When on 
shore, he supported his family by making maps and charts. His 
narrow circumstances obliged him to observe a strict economy ; 
3^et we are told that he apj)ropriated a part of his scanty means 
to the succor of his aged father at Genoa, and to the education 

45 of his younger brothers. 

The construction of a correct map or chart, in those days, re- 
quired a degree of knowledge and experience sufficient to entitle 
the possessor to distinction. 

From constantly comparing maps and charts, and noting the 

50 progress and direction of discovery, he was led to perceive how 
much of the world remained unknown, and to meditate on the 
means of exploring it. His domestic concerns, and the connec- 
tions he had formed by marriage, were all in unison with this 
vein of speculation. He resided for some time at the recently 

55 discovered island of Porto Santo, where his wife had inherited 
some property. 

55. Porto Santo.— See map, p, 6, 



CHRISTOPHER COL UMBIS. 15 

In their island residence, too, they must have been frequently 
visited by the voyagers going to and from Guiner... Living thus, 
surrounded by the stir and bustle of discovery, communing with 
persons who had risen by it to fortune and honor, and voyaging 60 
in the very tracts of its recent triumphs, the ardent mind of 
Columbus kindled up to enthusiasm in the cause. It was a 
period of general excitement to all who were connected with 
maritime life, or who resided in the vicinity of the ocean. 

One of the strongest symptoms of the excited state of the pop- 65 
ular mind at this eventful era was the prevalence of rumors re- 
specting unknown islands casually seen in the ocean. Many 
of these were mere fables, fabricated to feed the predominant 
humor of the public ; many had their origin in the heated imagi- 
nations of voyagers, beholding islands in those summer clouds 70 
which lie along the horizon, and often beguile the sailor with the 
idea of distant lands. 

They were all noted down with curious care by Columbus, 
and may have had some influence over his imagination. Aroused 
by the impulse of passing events, he turned anew, says his son 75 
Fernando, to study the geographical authors which he had read 
before, and to consider the astronomical reasons which might 
corroborate the theory gradually forming in his mind. He 
made himself acquainted with all that had been written by the 
ancients, or discovered by the moderns, relative to geography, so 
His own voyages enabled him to correct many of their errors and 
appreciate many of their theories. His genius having thus taken 
its decided bent, it is interesting to notice from what a mass of 
acknowledged facts, rational hypotheses, fanciful narrations, and 
popular rumors, his grand project of discovery was wrought out 35 
by the strong workings of his vigorous mind. 

It has been attempted, in the preceding chapters, to sho^ how 
Columbus was gradually kindled up to his grand design by the 
spirit and events of the times in which he lived. His son Fer- 

84. Rational hypotlieses. fanciful narrations, and popular twxlots.— Meaning 
off 



16 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

90 nando, however, undertakes to furnish the precise data on which 
his father's plan of discovery was founded. ^'He does this," he 
observes, ^' to show from what slender argument so great a scheme 
was fabricated and brought to light; and for the purpose of 
satisfying those who may desire to know distinctly the circum- 

95 stances and motives which led his father to undertake this en- 
terprise. " 

As this statement was formed from notes and documents 
found among his father's papers, it is too curious and interesting 
not to deserve particular mention. In this memorandum he 

100 arranged the foundation of his father's theory under three 
heads: 1. The nature of things. 2. The authority of learned 
writers. 3. The reports of navigators. 

Under the first head he set down as a fundamental principle 
that the earth was a terraqueous sphere or globe, which might 

105 be traveled round from east to west, and that men stood foot to 
foot when on opposite points. 

Under the second head are named the authors whose writings 
had weight in convincing him that the intervening ocean could 
be but of moderate expanse, and easy to be traversed. 

1 10 Under the third head are enumerated various indications of land 

in the west, which had floated to the shores of the known world. 

On considering the statement attentively, it is apparent that 

the grand argument which induced Columbus to his enterprise 

was that placed under the first head. 

IJ5 It is singular Lo^r much the success of this great undertaking 
depended upon two happy errors — the imaginary extent of Asia 
to the east, and the supposed smallness of the earth : both errors 
of the most learned and profound philosophers, but without 
which Columbus would hardly have ventured upon his enter- 

i2oprise^; The practicability, therefore, of finding land by sailing to 
the west was one of those mysteries of nature which are considered 
incredible while matters of mere speculation, but the simplest 
things imaginable when they have once been ascertained. 



103, 104, What is a fundamental principle ? A terraqueous sphere ? 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



17 



When Columbus had formed his theory, it became fixed in his 
mind with singular firmness, and influenced his entire character 
and conduct. He never spoke in doubt or hesitation, but with 
as much certainty as if his eyes had beheld the promised land. 
No trial nor disappointment could divert him from the steady 
pursuit of his object. A deep religious sentiment mingled with 
his meditations, and gave them at times a tinge of superstition; 
but it was of a sublime and lofty kind : he looked upon himself 
as standing in the hand of Heaven, chosen from among men 
for the accomplishment of its high purpose. 



125 



Oim the meaning of the following 


wm'ds : 




Presence. 


Irritable. 


Conception. 


Casually. 


Demeanor. 


Magnanimity. 


Naturalized. 


Fabricated. 


Visage. 


Comporting. 


Appropriated. 


Predominant. 


Meager. 


Courteous. 


Succor. 


Humor. 


Aquiline. 


Gravity. 


Unison. 


Horizon. 


Diet. 


Kigorously. 


Speculation. 


Corroborate. 


Apparel. 


Tinctured. 


Inherited. 


Scheme. 


Affable. 


Destitute. 


Communing. 


Documents. 


Amiableness. 


Journal. 


Ardent. 


Traversed. 


Suavity. 


Memorandum. 


Symptoms. 


Ascertained. 



CHAPTEPw IV. 

Paulo Tosca:n^elli — Events in Portugal relative to Dis- 
coveries—Proposition OF Columbus — Departure from 
Portugal. 



It is impossible to determine the precise time when Columbus 
first conceived the design of seeking a western route to India. 
It is certain, however, that he meditated it as early as the year 
1474, though as yet it lay crude and unmatured in his mind. 
This fact, which is of some importance, is sufiiciently estab- 
lished. Columbus was greatly animated by the letter and chart 



18 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



of Toscanelli^ wlio was considered one of the ablest cosmogra- 
phers of the day. He appears to have procured the work of 
Marco Polo, which had been translated into various languages, 

lo and existed in manuscript in most libraries. This author gives 
marvelous accounts of the riches of the realms of Cathay and 
Mangi, or Mango, since ascertained to be Northern and Southern 
China, on the coast of which, according to the map of Tosca- 
nelli, a voyager sailing directly west would be sure to arrive. 

15 The narrations of this traveler were by some considered fabu- 
lous ; but though full of what appear to be splendid exaggera- 
tions, they have since been found substantially correct. They 
are thus particularly noted, from the influence they had over 
the imagination of Columbus. 

20 While the design of attempting the discovery in the west was 
maturing in th6 mind of Columbus, he made a voyage to the 
north of Europe. 

Several more years elapsed, without any decided efforts on the 
part of Columbus to carry his design into execution. He was 

25 too poor to fit out the armament necessary for so important an 
expedition. Indeed it was an enterprise only to be undertaken 
in the employ of some sovereign state, which could assume 
dominion over the territories he might discover, and reward him 
with dignities and privileges commensurate to his services. 

30 His residence in Portugal placed him at hand to solicit the 
patronage of that power, but Alphonso, who was then on the 
throne, was too much engrossed in the latter part of his reign 



7. Toscanelli — Pronounced tos ca- 

nel'li. Cosmographer. — One who 

describes the universe, tlie heavens 
and the earth. 

9. Mar CO Po lo. — The first and 
most extensive Venetian traveler 
among Eastern nations. He visited 
the chief countries and cities of East- 
ern Asia, among them Japan, which 
was not previously known to exist. 



Eeturned to Venice in 1295, after 
which an interesting account of his 
travels was published and had a 
wonderful effect in encouraging dis- 
covery and exploration. 

23. Elapsed. — Literal meaning ? 

27. Sovereign state. — Define, and 
give an example. 

32. Engrossed.— Absorbed, occu- 
pied. 



CBRISTOPHER COL VMB US. 19 

with, a war with Spain, for the succession of the Princess Juana 
to the crown of Castile, to engage in peaceful enterprises of an 
expensive nature. 35 

The time, however, was at hand that was to extend the 
sphere of navigation. The era w^as propitious to the quick 
advancement of knowledge. The recent invention of the art of 
printing enabled men to communicate rapidly and extensively 
their ideas and discoveries. It drew forth learning from libra- 40 
ries and convents, and brought it familiarly to the reading- 
desk of the student. Volumes of information, which before had 
existed only in costly manuscripts, carefully treasured up, and 
kept out of the reach of the indigent scholar and obscure artist, 
were now in every hand. There was henceforth to be no retro- 45 
gression in knowledge, nor any pause in its career. Every step 
in advance was immediately, and simultaneously, and widely 
promulgated, recorded in a thousand forms, and fixed forever. 
There could never again be* a dark age ; nations might shut 
their eyes to the light, and sit in willful darkness, but they could 50 
not trample it out ; it would still shine on, dispensed to happier 
parts of the world, by the diffusive powers of the press. 

At this juncture, in 1481, a monarch ascended the throne of 
Portugal, of different ambition from Alphonso. John II., then 
in the twenty-fifth year of his age, had imbibed the passion for 55 
discovery from his grand-uncle. Prince Henry, and with his reign 
all its activity revived. 

The magnificent idea he had formed of the remote parts of 
the East made him extremely anxious that the splendid project 
of Prince Henry should be realized, and the Portuguese flag 60 
penetrate to the Indian seas. Impatient of the slowness with 
which his discoveries advanced along the coast of Africa, and of 



33. Juana — Pronounced hoc-ana. 

34. Castile — Pronounced cas-teel'. 

38. The art of printing from mov- 
able type was discovered about 1436 
by John Gutenberg. 



43. Manuscript — Literally means 
written by hand. 

59. Splendid project.— A western 
route to India. 



20 . CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

the impediments which every cape and promontory presented to 
nautical enterprise, he called in the aid of science to devise some 

65 means by which greater scope and certainty might be given to 
navigation. His two physicians, Eoderigo and Joseph, the 
latter a Jew, the most able astronomers and cosmographers of 
his kingdom, together with the celebrated Martin Behem, 
entered into a learned consultation on the subject. The result 

70 of their conferences and labors was the application of the astro- 
labe to navigation, enabling the seaman, by the altitude of the 
sun, to ascertain his distance from the equator. This instru- 
ment has since been improved and modified into the modern 
quadrant, of which, even at its first introduction, it possessed all 

75 the essential advantages. 

It is impossible to describe the effect produced upon naviga- 
tion by this invention. It cast it loose at once from its long 
bondage to the land, and set it free to rove the deep. The 
mariner now, instead of coasting* the shores like the ancient 

80 navigators, and, if driven from the land, groping his way back 
in doubt and apprehension by the uncertain guidance of the 
stars, might adventure boldly into unknown seas, confident of 
being able to trace his course by means of the compass and the 
astrolabe. 

85 It was shortly after this event, which had prepared guides for 
discovery across the trackless ocean, that Columbus made the 
first attempt, of which we have any clear and indisputable record, 
to procure royal patronage for his enterprise. The court of Port- 
ugal had shown extraordinary liberality in rewarding nautical 

90 discovery. Encouraged by this liberality, and by the anxiety 
evinced by King John II. to accomplish a passage by sea to 
India, Columbus obtained an audience of that monarch, and 
proposed, in case the king would furnish him with ships and 
men, to undertake a shorter and more direct route than that 

95 along the coast of Africa. His plan was to strike directly to 
the west, across the Atlantic. 



Groping. —Peculiar force of this word ? 



CHRISTOPHER COLUJIBUS. 21 

The king, according to Fernando, listened to his father with 
great attention, but was discouraged from engaging in any new 
scheme of the kind by the cost and trouble already sustained in 
exploring the route by the African coast, which as yet remained loo 
unaccomplished. His father, however, supported his proposi- 
tion by such excellent reasons that the king was induced to give 
his consent. The only difficulty that remained was the terms ; 
for Columbus, being a man of lofty and noble sentiments, de- 
manded high and honorable titles and rewards, to the end, says 105 
Fernando, that he might leave behind him a name and family 
worthy of his deeds and merits. 

The reasoning of Columbus must have produced an effect on 
the mind of the monarch, since it is certain that he referred the 
proposition to a learned junto, charged with all matters relating no 
to maritime discovery. This scientific body treated the project 
as extravagant and visi^onary. 

Still the king does not appear to have been satisfied.. Accord- 
ing to his historian, he convoked his council, composed of prel- 
ates and persons of the greatest learning in the kingdom, and 115 
asked their advice, w^hether to adopt this new route of discovery, 
or to pursue that which they had already opened. 

King John still manifested an inclination for the enterprise. 
It was suggested to him by the Bishop of Oeuta that Columbus 
might be kept in suspense while a vessel secretly dispatched in 120 
the direction he should point out might ascertain whether there 
were any foundation for his theory. By this means all its advan- 
tages might be secured, without committing the dignity of the 
crown by formal negotiations about what might prove a mere 
chimera. King John, in an evil hour, had the weakness to per- 125 
mit a stratagem so inconsistent with his usual justice and mag- 
nanimity. Columbus was required to furnish for the considera- 



97. ms.— Whose? 

110. Junto. — A select body which 
deliberates in secret on affairs of 
state. 



119. Ceuta — A town on the coast 
of Morocco. 

120. Kept in uus^eusQ,— Meaning 
of? 



22 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



tion of the council a detailed plan of his proposed voyage, with 
the charts and documents according to which he intended to 
130 shape his course. These being procured, a caravel was dis- 
patched with the ostensible design of carrying provisions to the 




Spanish Caravel in which Columbus discovered America. 
(From a drawing attributed to Columbus, 1494.) 

Cape de Verde islands, but with private instructions to pursue 

the designated route. Departing from those islands the caravel 

stood westward for several da\s, until the weather became 

135 stormy; when the pilots, seeing nothing but an immeasurable 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



23 



waste of wild, tumbling waves still extending before them, lost 
all courage and put back, ridiculing the project of Columbus as 
extravagant and irrational. 

This unworthy attempt to defraud him of his enterprise roused 
the indignation of Columbus, and he declined all offers of King 140 
John to renew the negotiation. The death of his wife, which 
had occurred some time previously, had dissolved the domestic 
tie which bound him to Portugal ; he determined, therefore, to 
abandon a country where he had been treated with so little faith, 
and to look elsewhere for patronage. 145 

It was toward the end of 1484 that he left Lisbon, taking with 
him his son Diego. His departure had to be conducted with 
secrecy, lest, as some assert, it should be prevented by King 
John ; but lest, as others surmise, it should be prevented by his 
creditors. Like many other great j^rojectors, while engaged 150 
upon schemes of vast benefit to mankind, he had suffered his own 
affairs to go to ruin, and was reduced to struggle hard with pov- 
erty ; nor is it one of the least interesting circumstances in his 
eventful life that he had in a manner to beg his way from court 
to court, to offer to princes the discovery of a world. 155 



Gim the '. 


meaning of the folloining 


words : 




Precise. 


Commensurate. 


Dispensed. 


Prelates. 


Conceived. 


Solicit. 


Diffusive. 


Manifested. 


Design. 


Patronage. 


Juncture. 


Dispatched. 


Route. 


Era. 


Imbibed. 


Chimera. 


Crude. 


Propitious. 


Impediment. 


Stratagem. 


Unnatural. 


Indigent. 


Astrolabe. 


Ostensible. 


Animated. 


Obscure. 


Bondage. 


Extravagant. 


Fabulous. 


Retrogression. 


Audience. 


Irrational. 


Armament. 


Simultaneously. 


Visionary. 


Defraud. 


Dominion. 


Promulgated. 


Convoked. 


Surmise. 



24 



CHRISTOPHER C0LU3fBUS. 



CHAPTER V. 



COLUMBLTS AFTER LeAVI^^G PORTUGAL HiS APPLICATIONS 

iN^ Spain— Columbus at the Court of Spain. 

The first firm and indisputable trace we have of Col ambus 

after leaving Portugal is in the south of Spain, in 1485, where 

we find him seeking his fortune among the Spanish nobles, 

several of whom had vast possessions, and exercised almost inde- 

5 pendent sovereignty in their domains. 

Foremost among these were the dukes of Medina Sidonia and 
Medina Celi, who had estates like principalities lying along the 
sea-coast, with ports and shipping and hosts of retainers at their 
command. 

lo Columbus had many interviews with the Duke of Medina 
Sidonia, who was tempted for a time by the splendid prospects 
held out ; but their very splendor threw a coloring of improba- 
bility over the enterprise, and he finally rejected it as the dream 
of an Italian visionary. 

15 The Duke of Medina Celi was likewise favorable at the outset. 
He entertained Columbus for some time in his house, and was 
actually on the point of granting him three or four caravels 
which lay ready for the sea in his harbor of Port St. Mary, oppo- 
site Cadiz, when he suddenly changed his mind, deterred by the 

2o consideration that the enterprise, if successful, would involve 
discoveries too important to be grasped by any but a sovereign 



7. Principality.— The territory of 
a prince or ruler. 

8. Retainers. — Dependents ; ser- 
vants. 



19. Cadiz. — A seaport 
Southwestern Spain, 



city of 



CHRISTOPHER COL UMB VS. 



25 



power, and that the Spanish Government might be displeased at 
his undertaking it on his own account. Finding, however, that 
Columbus intended to make his next application to the King of 
France, and loath that an enterprise of such importance should 25 
be lost to Spain, the duke wrote to Queen Isabella, recommend- 
ing it strongly to her attention. The queen made a favorable 
reply, and requested that Columbus might be sent to her. He 
accordingly set out for the Spanish court, then at Cordova, 
bearing a letter to the queen from the duke, soliciting that, in 30 
case the expedition should be carried into effect, he might have 
a share in it, and the fitting out of the armament from his port of 
St. Mary, as a recompense for having waived the enterprise in 
favor of the crown. 

The time when Columbus thus sought his fortunes at the 35 
court of Spain coincided with one of the 
most brilliant periods of the Spanish 
monarchy. The union of the king- 
doms of Aragon and Castile, by the 
marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella, 
had consolidated the Christian power 
in the Peninsula, and put an end to 
those internal feuds which had so long 
distracted the country, and insured the 
domination of the Moslems. 

When Columbus arrived at Cordova 
he found the city in all the bustle of 
military preparation. It was a critical 
juncture of the w^ar. The rival kings 

of Granada had just formed a coalition, and their league called 50 
for 'prompt and vigorous measures. 

All the chivalry of Spain had been summoned to the field ; the 




40 



45 



Isabella. 



29. Cordova. — A city in Southern 
Spain. 

39. Aragon and Castile. — Respec 
lively the western and eastern king- 
doms of Spain. 



45. Moslems. — Mussulmans ; be- 
lievers in Mohammedanism, 

50. Granada. — A southern divi- 
sion of Spain. 



26 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

streets of Cordova echoed to the tramp of steed and sound of 
trumpet, as day by day the nobles arrived with their retainers, 

55 vying with each other in the number of their troops and the 
splendor of their appointments. The court was like a military 
camp ; the king and queen were surrounded by the flower of 
Spanish chivalry ; by those veteran cavaliers who had distin- 
guished themselves in so many hardy conflicts with the Moors, 

60 and by the prelates and friars who mingled in martial council, 
and took deep interest and agency in this war of the Faith. 

This was an unpropitious moment to urge a suit like that of 
Columbus. In fact the sovereigns had not a moment of leisure 
throughout this eventful year. Early in the spring, the king 

65 marched off to lay siege to the Moorish city of Loxa ; and though 

the queen remained at Cordova, she was continually employed in 

forwarding troops and supplies to the army and at the same 

time attending to the multiplied exigencies of civil government. 

During the summer and autumn of this year Columbus re- 

70 mained at Cordova, a guest in the house of Alonzo de Quinta- 
nilla, who proved a warm advocate of his theory. Through his 
meaus he became acquainted with the pope^'s nuncio, and his 
brother, j^receptor to the younger children of Ferdinand and 
Isabella — both valuable friends about court. 

75 In the winter Columbus followed the court to Salamanca. 
Here his zealous friend, Alonzo de Quintanilla, exerted his influ- 
ence to obtain for him the countenance of the celebrated Pedro 
Gonzalez de Mendoza, Archbishop of Toledo, and Grand Cardi- 
nal of Spain. This was the most important personage about the 

80 court, and was facetiously called by Peter Martyr the ''third 
king of Spain."' 

Columbus knew the importance of his auditor, and that a con- 
ference with the grand cardinal was almost equivalent to a com- 
munication with the throne ; he exerted himself to the utmost. 



61. War of the Faith. — A religious 72. Nuncio. — An ambassador or 
war between Christians and Moham- messenger from tiie pope, 
medans. ' 75. Where is Sulamanca ? 



CHRISTOPHER C0LU3IBUS. 27 

therefore, to explain and demonstrate liis proposition. The 85 
clear-headed cardinal listened with profound attention. He was 
pleased with the noble and earnest manner of Columbus, which 
showed him to be no common schemer ; he felt the grandeur, 
and at the same time the simplicity, of his theory, and the force 
of many of the arguments by which it Avas supported. He de- 90 
termined that it was a matter highly worthy of the consideration 
of the sovereigns, and through his representations Columbus at 
length obtained admission to the royal presence. 

We have but scanty particulars of this audience, nor can we 
ascertain whether Queen Isabella was present on the occasion ; 95 
the contrary seems to be most probably the case. Columbus ap- 
peared in the royal presence with modesty, yet self-possession, 
neither dazzled nor daunted by the splendor of the court or the 
awful majesty of the throne. He unfolded his plan with eloquence 
and zeal, for he felt himself, as he afterwards declared, kindled mo 
as with a fire from on high, and considered himself the agent 
chosen by Heaven to accomplish its grand designs. 

Ferdinand was too keen a judge of men not to appreciate the 
character of Columbus. He perceived that, however soaring 
might be his imagination, and vast and visionary his views, his 105 
scheme had scientific and practical foundation. 

Still, as usual, Ferdinand was cool and wary, and would not 
trust his own Judgment in a matter that involved so many prin- 
ciples of science. He determined to take the opinion of the 
most learned men in the kingdom, and to be guided by their 1 10 
decision. 



Give the meaning of the following words: 

Visionary. Waived. Chivalry. Preceptor. 

Deterred. Coincided. Vying. Conference. 

Loath. Coalition. Cavaliers. Daunted. 

Recompense. League, Jlxigencios. Wary. 



23 CHRISTOPHER COL UMB US. 



CHAPTER YI. 

Columbus before the Couj^cil at Salamai^ca — Ar the 
Court of Castile. 

The interesting conference relative to the proposition of Co- 
lumbus took place in Salamanca, the great seat of learning in 
Spain. It was held in the Dominican convent of St. Stephen, in 
which he was lodged and entertained with great hospitality dur- 

5 ing the course of the examination. 

Eeligion and science were at that time, and more especially in 
that country, closely associated. The treasures of learning were 
immured in monasteries, and the professors'* chairs were exclu- 
sively filled from the cloister. 

lo The council of clerical sages was convened in the collegiate 
convent of St. Stephen to investigate the new theory of Colum- 
bus. It was composed of professors of astronomy, geography, 
mathematics, and other branches of science, together with various 
dignitaries of the church, and learned friars. Before this erudite 

15 assembly, Columbus presented himself to propound and defend 
his conclusions. He had been scoffed at as a visionary by the 
vulgar and the ignorant ; but he was convinced that he only 
required a body of enlightened men to listen dispassionately to 
his reasonings to insure triumphant conviction. 

20 The greater part of this learned junto, it is very probable, 
came prepossessed against him, as men in place and dignity are 
apt to be against poor applicants. 

What a striking spectacle must the hall of the old convent 
have presented at this memorable conference ! A simple mari- 

8, 9. Cloister is a place of seclusion from tlie world. Monastery is a place 
for men called monks. 



CHRIST opnER coLr^rBrs. 29 

ner, standing forth in the midst of an imposing array of pro- 25 
fessors, friars^ and dignitaries of the church ; maintaining his 
theory with natural eloquence, and, as it were, pleading the 
cause of the new world. 

At the very threshold of the discussion, instead of geographical 
objections, Columbus was assailed with citations from the Bible 30 
and the Testament : the book of Genesis, the psalms of David, 
the prophets, the epistles, and the gospels. To these were added 
the expositions of various saints and reverend commentators. 
Doctrinal points were mixed up with philosophical discussions, 
and a mathematical demonstration was allowed no weight, if it 35 
appeared to clash with a text of Scripture or a commentary of 
one of the fathers. Thus the possibility of antipodes, in the 
southern hemisphere, an opinion so generally maintained by the 
wisest of the ancients as to be pronounced by Pliny the great 
contest between the learned and the ignorant, became a stum- 40 
bling-block with some of the sages of Salamanca. Several of 
them stoutly contradicted this fundamental position of Columbus, 
supporting themselves by quotations from Lactantius and St. 
Augustine, who were considered in those days as almost evan- 
gelical authority. 45 

The passage cited from Lactantius to confute Columbus is in 
a strain of gross ridicule, unworthy of so grave a theologian. 
^^ Is there any one so foolish,'^ he asks, '^ as to believe that there 
are antipodes with their feet opposite to ours : people who walk 
with their heels upward, and their heads hanging down? That 5c 
there is a part of the world in which all things are topsy-turvy ; 
where the trees grow with their branches downward, and where it 
rains, hails, and snows upward? The idea of the roundness of the 
earth,""* he adds, " was the cause of inventing this fable of the an- 
tipodes, with their heels in the air; for these philosophers, havings 
once erred, go on in their alDsurdities, defending one with another. 






30. Citations.— Quotation's. j 37. Fathers. — Fathers of the 

33. Reverend commentator. — Oue Church, 
who explains the Scriptures. i 39. Pliny.— An ancient historian. 



30 CHRISTOPHER COL UMB VS . 

Objections of a graver nature were advanced on the authority 
of St. Augustine. He pronounces the doctrine of antipodes to 
be incompatible with the historical foundations of our faith; 

60 since, to assert that there were inhabited lands on the opposite 
side of the globe would be to maintain that there were nations 
not descended from Adam, it being impossible for them to have 
passed the intervening ocean. This would be, therefore, to 
discredit the Bible, which expressly declares that all men are 

65 descended from one common parent. 

Such were the unlooked-for prejudices which Columbus had 
to encounter at the very outset of his conference, and which 
certainly relish more of the convent than the university. 

Columbus, who was a devoutly religious man, found that he 

70 was in danger of being convicted not merely of error, but of 
heterodoxy. Others more versed in science admitted the glo- 
bular form of the earth, and the possibility of an opposite and 
habitable hemisphere; but they brought up the chimera of the 
ancients, and maintained that it would be impossible to arrive 

75 there, in consequence of the insupportable heat of the torrid 
zone. Even grantino^ this could be passed, they observed that 
the circumference of the earth must be so great as to require 
at least three years to the voyage, and those who should under- 
take it must perish of hunger and thirst, from the impossibility 

80 of carrying provisions for so long a period. He was told, on the 
authority of Epicurus, that, admitting the earth to be s^^herical, 
it was only inhabitable in the northern hemisphere, and in that 
section only was canopied by the heavens ; that the opposite half 
was a chaos, a gulf, or a mere waste of water. Not the least 

85 absurd objection advanced was, that should a ship even succeed 
in reaching, in this way, the extremity of India, she could never 
get back again; for the rotundity of the globe would present a 
kind of mountain, up which it would be impossible for her to 
sail with the most favorable wind. 



58. St. Au'gus-tine (teen). — A learn- | 81. Epicurus.— A Greek pliiloso- 
ed monk of the sixth century. | pher, born 342, died 370, B.C. 



CHRISTOPHER COLVMBUS. 31 

Such are specimens of the errors and prejudices, the mingled 90 
ignorance and erudition, with which Columbus had to contend 
throughout the examination of his theory. Can w^e wonder at 
the difficulties and delays which he experienced at courts, when 
such vague and crude notions were entertained by the learned 
men of a university? 95 

There were no doubt objections advanced more cogent in their 
nature, and more worthy of that distinguished university.. It is 
but justice to add, also, that the replies of Columbus had great 
weight with many of his learned examiners. In answer to the 
scriptural objections, he submitted that the inspired writers were 100 
not speaking technically as cosmographers, but figuratively, in 
language addressed to all comprehensions. The commentaries 
of the fathers he treated with deference as pious homilies, but 
not as philosophical propositions which it was necessary either to 
admit or refute. The objections drawn from ancient philosophers 105 
he met boldly and ably upon equal terms; for he was deeply 
studied on all points of cosmography. 

When Columbus took his stand before this learned body, he 
had appeared the plain and simple navigator; somewhat daunted, 
perhaps, by the greatness of his task and the august nature of no 
his auditory. But he had a degree of religious feeling which 
gave him a confidence in the execution of what he conceived his 
great errand, and he was of an ardent temperament that became 
heated in action by its own generous fires. 

Notwithstanding ever^ exertion, however, this erudite body 115 
refused to yield to the demonstrations of an obscure foreigner, 
without fortune or connections, or any academic honors. 
Fernando de Talavera, to whom the matter was especially 
intrusted, had too little esteem for it, and was too much occupied 
with the stir and bustle of public concerns, to press.it to a con- 120 
elusion; and thus the inquiry experienced continual procrastina- 
tion and neglect. 

In the spring of 1489 the long-adjourned investigation ap- 

103. Homilies.— Sermons. 



32 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

peared to be on the eve of taking place. Columbus was sum- 

i25 moned to attend a conference of learned men, to be held in the 
city of Seville; a royal order was issued for lodgings to be pro- 
vided for him there; and the magistrates of all cities and towns 
through which he might pass on his way were commanded to 
furnish accommodations gratis for himself and his attendants. 

130 A provision of the kind was necessary in those days, when even 
the present wretched establishments called posadas, for the 
reception of travelers, were scarcely known. 

The city of Seville complied with the royal command, but as 
usual the appointed conference was postponed, being interrupted 

135 by the opening of a campaign. "' in which," says an old chronicler 
of the place, "the same Columbus was found fighting, giving 
proofs of the distinguished valor which accompanied his wisdom 
and his lofty desires/' 

The summer of 1490 passed away, but still Columbus was kept 

140 in tantalizing and tormenting suspense. The subsequent winter 
was not more propitious. He was lingering at Cordova in a state 
of irritating anxiety, when he learned that the sovereigns were 
preparing to depart on a campaign in the Vega of Granada, with 
a determination never to raise their camp from before that city 

145 until their victorious banners should float upon its towers. 

Columbus was aware that when once the campaign was opened 
and the sovereigns were in the field it would be in vain to expect 
any attention to his suit. He was wearied, if not incensed, at the 
repeated postponements he had experienced, by which several 

1 50 years had been consumed. He now pressed for a decisive reply 
with an earnestness that would not admit of evasion. Fernando 
de Talavera, therefore, was called upon by the sovereigns to hold 
a definite conference with the scientific men to whom the project 
had been referred, and to make a report of their decision. The 

155 bishop tardily complied, and at length reported to their majes- 
ties, as the general opinion of the Junto, that the proposed 
scheme was vain and impossible, and that it did not become such 

126. Seville.— A city in Southwestern Spain. 



CHSLSTOPRER COLUMBUS. oo 

great princes to engage in an enterprise of tlie kind on such weak 
grounds as had been advanced- 
Fernando de TalaTera, therefore, was commandei to inform. - '-^ 
Columbus, who was still at Cordova, that the great cares and 
expenses of the wars rendered it impo^ble for the sovereigns to 
engage in any new enterprise ; but that when the war was con- 
ided they would have both time and inclination to treat with 
-..m about what he propose«L :-:= 

Columbus looked up-on this indefinite posrp-: nezir::: a= a mere 
courtly mo«ie of evading his importunity., and siiit^.^ed that the 
favorable dispositions of the sovereigns had been : " ^ - - :-ed bj 
the objections of the ignorant and bigoteL I. -g all 

further confidence, therefore, in vague promises, which h^l so 170 
often led to disappointment, and gi^in^ up all hopes of counte- 
nance from the throne, he tumei his back upon Serine, indig- 
nant at the thoughts of having been beguiled out of so many 
precious years of waning existence. 



Aag«L 



(?t><f i/.-f T.^-j^,; 


^ , ,.-' ^j^ -■_-;^^ ..-. - 


■ ■_.•""•"> .• 


iTn-nj-ared. 


Antipoiies. 


Pr?;:id::€S, 


Co&Taed. 


EemiFciere. 


Ca^opic^L 


PropovaA. 


Sages. 


Chaos 


Seoffed. 


ZvaaeelicaL 


EotT::iiirr 


ZntisttPfJ 


Coiif:L:e, 


Qog^z 


PrepMMaaedL 


Bidic:ile. 


Teehr.i'jallT 


HxpaatMB. 


Incompauale. 


fi^-:c 




34 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Columbus at the Convent of La Rabida. 

About half a league from the little seaport of Palos de Moguer 
in Andalusia there stood, and continues to stand at the present 
day, an ancient convent of Franciscan friars, dedicated to Santa 
Maria de Rabida. One day a stranger on foot, in humble guise 
5 but of a distinguished air, accompanied by a small boy, stopped 
at the gate of the convent, and asked of the porter a little bread 
and water for his child. While receiving this humble refresh- 
ment, the prior of the convent, happening to pass by, was struck 
with the appearance of the stranger, and, observing from his air 

loand accent that he was a foreigner, entered into conversation 
with him, and soon learned the particulars of his story. That 
stranger was Columbus. 

The prior was a man of extensive information. His attention 
had been turned in some measure to geographical and nautical 

15 science, probably from his vicinity to Palos, the inhabitants of 
which were among the most enterprising navigators of Spain, 
and made frequent voyages to tlie recently discovered islands 
and countries on the African coast. He was greatly interested 
by the conversation of Columbus, and struck with the grandeur 

20 of his views. It was a remarkable occurrence in the monotonous 
life of the cloister to have a man of such singular character, 
intent on so extraordinary an enterprise, applying for bread and 
water at the gate of his convent. 

When he found, however, that the voyager was on the point 

25 of abandoning Spain to seek patronage in the court of France, 
and that so important an enterprise was about to be lost forever 

2. Andalusia. — A division of Spain. ] 6. Porter. — A gate-keepeiv 



CHRISTOPHER COL UMB VS . 35 

to the country, the patriotism of the good friar took the alarm. 
He detained Columbus as his guest^ and, diffident of his own 
judgment, sent for a scientific friend to converse with him. 
That friend was Garcia Fernandez, a physician resident in Palos, 30 
the same who furnishes this interesting testimony. Fernandez 
was equally struck with the appearance and conversation of the 
stranger ; several conferences took place at the convent, at which 
several of the veteran mariners of Palos were present. Among 
these was Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the head of a family of wealthy 35 
and experienced navigators of the place, celebrated for their 
adventurous expeditions. Facts were related by some of these 
navigators in support of the theory of Columbus. In a word, his 
project was treated with a deference in the quiet cloisters of La 
Rabida, and among the seafaring men of Palos, which had been 40 
sought in vain among the sages and philosophers of the court. 
Martin Alonzo Pinzon especially was so convinced of its feasi- 
bility that he offered to engage in it with purse and person, and 
to bear the expenses of Columbus in a renewed application to the 
court. 45 

Friar Juan Perez was confirmed in his faith by the concur- 
rence of those learned and practical councilors. He had once 
been confessor to the queen, and knew that she was always ac- 
cessible to persons of his sacred calling. 

The sacred office of Juan Perez gained him a ready entrance 50 
in a court distinguished for religious zeal ; and, once admitted 
to the presence of the queen, his former relation, as father con- 
fessor, gave him great freedom of counsel. He pleaded the 
cause of Columbus with characteristic enthusiasm, speaking 
from actual knowledge of his honorable motives, his professional 55 
knowledge and experience, and his j^erfect capacity to fulfill the 
undertaking ; he represented the solid principles upon which the 
enterprise was founded, the advantage that must attend its suc- 
cess, and the glory it must shed upon the Spanish crown. The 
queen requested that Columbus might be again sent to her, and, 60 
with the kind considerateness which characterized her, bethink- 
ing herself of his poverty and his humble plight, ordered that 



36 CHRISTOPHER VOLUMBUS. 

twenty thousand maravedies in florins should be forwarded to 
him, to bear his traveling expenses, to provide him with a mule 

^'5 for his journey, and to furnish him with decent raiment, that he 
might make a respectable appearance at the court. 

The worthy friar lost no time in communicating the result of 
his mission ; he transmitted the money, and a letter, by the 
hands of an inhabitant of Palos, to the physician Garcia Fernan- 

7odez, who delivered them to Columbus. The latter complied 
with the instructions conveyed in the epistle. He exchanged his 
threadbare garb for one more suited to the sphere of a court, and, 
purchasing a mule, set out once more, reanimated by hopes, for 
the camp before Granada. 



Give the Tneaning of the following words : 
Guise. Feasibility. Concurrence. Plight. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Application to the Court at the Time of the Surren- 
der OF Granada. 

When Columbus arrived at the court he experienced a favor- 
able reception, and was given in hospitable charge to his steady 
friend Alonzo de Quintanilla, the accountant-general. The 
moment, however, was too eventful for his business to receive 
5 immediate attention. He arrived in time to witness the memor- 
able surrender of Granada to the Spanish arms. 

Do we want a picture of our navigator daring this brilliant 
and triumphant scene ? It is furnished by a Spanish writer. 

63, Twenty thousand marave'dies. — j 74. Granada. — A division of South- 
Or 72 dollars, and equivalent to 216 ' ein Spain, 
dollars of the present clay. ' 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBU S. 37 

"A man obscure and but little known followed at this time the 
court. Confounded in the crowd of importunate applicants, 10 
feeding his imagination in the corners of antechambers with the 
pompous project of discovering a world, melancholy and dejected 
in the midst of the general rejoicing, he beheld with indiffer- 
ence, and almost with contempt, the conclusion of a conquest 
whicli swelled all bosoms with jubilee, and seemed to have 15 
reached the utmost bounds of desire. That man was Christo- 
pher Columbus." 

The moment had now arrived, however, when the monarchs 
stood pledged to attend to his proposals. The war with the 
Moors was at an end, Spain was delivered from its intruders, 20 
and its sovereigns might securely turn their views to foreign en- 
terprise. They kept their word with Columbus. So fully 
imbued was Columbus with the grandeur of his enterprise that 
he would listen to none but princely conditions. His principal 
stipulation was, that he should be invested with the titles and 25 
23rivileges of admiral and viceroy over the countries he should 
discover, with one tentl^.of all gains, either by trade or conquest. 
The courtiers w^ho treated with him were indignant at such a 
demand. To this Columbus promptly replied by offering to 
furnish one eighth of the cost, on condition of enjoying an 30 
eighth of the profits. To do this, he no doubt calculated on the 
proffered assistance of Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the wealthy navi- 
gator of Palos. 

His terms, however, w^re pronounced inadmissible. More 
moderate conditions were offered to Columbus, and such as ap- 35 
peared highly honorable and advantageous. It was all in vain: 
he would not cede one point of his demands, and the negotiation 
was broken off. 

It is impossible not to admire the great constancy of purpose 
and loftiness of spirit displayed by Columbus, ever since he had 40 



26. Admiral. — An officer of the [ ruling in the place of a king and 

liighest rank in the navy. Vice- { ha^ang kingly power. 

roy. — The governor of a country, ' 



38 CHRIST OTHER COLUMBUS. 



conceived the sublime idea of his discovery. More than eight- 
een years had elapsed since his correspondence with Paulo 
Toscanelli of Florence, wherein he had announced his design. 
When the few friends who were zealous believers in the 

45 theory of Columbus saw him really on the point of abandoning 
the country, they were filled with distress, considering his de- 
parture an irreparable loss to the nation. Among the number 
was St. Angel, the receiver of the ecclesiastical revenues in Ar- 
ragon. Determined if j^ossible to avert the evil, he obtained an 

5o"immediate audience of the queen. The exigency of the moment 
gave him courage and eloquence. 

He entreated her majesty not to be misled by the assertions of 
learned men, that the ^^roject was the dream of a visionary. 
He vindicated the judgment of Columbus, and the soundness 

55 and practicability of his plans. Neither would even his failure 
reflect disgrace upon the crown. The generous spirit of 
Isabella was enkindled. It seemed as if, for the first time, the 
subject broke upon her mind in its real grandeur, and she de- 
clared her resolution to undertake the enterprise. 

6o There was still a mementos hesitation. The king loo'ked 
coldly on the affair, and the royal finances were absolutely 
drained by the war. Some time must be given to replenish 
them. How could she draw on an exhausted treasury for a 
measure to which the king was adverse ! St. Angel watched this 

65 suspense with trembling anxiety. The next moment reassured 
him. With an enthusiasm worthy of herself and of the cause, 
Isabella exclaimed, ^^I undertake the enterprise for my own 
crown of Castile, and will pledge my jewels to raise the neces- 
sary funds. ^' This was the proudest moment in the life of 

70 Isabella; it stamped her renown forever as the patroness of the 
discovery of the New World. 

Columbus had pursued his lonely journey across the Vega, or 
l^lain, and reached the bridge of Pinos, about two leagues from 
Granada, at the foot of the mountain of Elvira, a j^ass famous in 

75 the Moorish wars for many a desperate encounter between the 
Christians and infidels. Here he was overtaken by a courier from 



Give the 

Pledged. 

Intruders. 

Imbued. 


meanitig of the following 

Stipulation. 

Inadmissible. 

Cede. 


words : 

Irreparable. 

Adverse. 

Equivocations. 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 39 

the queen, spurring in all speed, who summoned him to return to 
Santa Fe. He hesitated for a moment, being loath to subject 
himself again to the delays and equivocations of the court ; when 
informed, however, of the sudden zeal for the enterj)rise excited 80 
in the mind of the queen, and the positive promise she had given 
to undertake it, he no longer felt a doubt, but, turning the reins 
of his mule, hastened back with joyful alacrity to Santa Fe, con- 
fiding in the noble probity of that princess. 



Alacrity. 
Probity. 



CHAPTER IX. 
Pkeparations for the Expeditiox. 

On arriving at Santa Fe, Columbus had an immediate audi- 
ence of the queen, and the benignity with which she received 
him atoned for all past neglect. Through deference to the zeal 
she thus suddenly disj)layed, the king yielded his tardy concur- 
rence, but Isabella was the soul of this grand enterprise. She 5 
was prompted by lofty and generous enthusiasm, while the king 
proved cold and calculating in this as in all his other under- 
takings. 

A perfect understanding being thus effected with the sover- 
eigns, articles of agreement were ordered to be drawn. They 10 
were to the following effect: 

1. That Columbus should have, for himself during his life, 
and his heirs and successors forever, the office of admiral in all 
the lands and continents which he might discover or acquire in 
the ocean, with similar honors and prerogatives to those enjoyed 15 
by the high admiral of Castile in his district. 



40 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



2. That he should be viceroy and governor-general over all 
the said lands and continents, with the privilege of nominating 
three candidates for the government of each island or province, 

20 one of whom should be selected by the sovereigns. 

3. That he should be entitled to reserve for himself one tenth 
of all pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, spices, and all other 
articles and merchandises, in whatever manner found, bought, 
bartered, or gained within his admiralty, the costs being first 

25 deducted. 

4. That he, or his lieutenant, should be the sole judge in all 
causes and disputes arising out of traffic between those countries 
and Spain, provided the high admiral of Castile had similar juris- 
diction in his district. 

30 5. That he might then, and at all aftertimes, contribute an 
eighth part of the expense in fitting out vessels to sail on this 
enterprise, and receive an eighth part of the profits. 

The capitulations were signed by Ferdinand and Isabella, at 
the city of Santa Fe, in the Vega or plain of Granada, on the 

35 17th of April, 1492. A letter of privilege, or commission to 
Columbus, of simila:'' purport, was drawn out in form, and 
issued by the sovereigns in the city of Granada, on the thirtieth 
of the same month. In this, the dignities and prerogatives of 
viceroy and governor were made hereditary in his family; and 

40 he and his heirs were authorized to prefix the title of Don to 
their names; a distinction accorded in those days only to persons 
of rank and estate, though- it has since lost all value, from being 
universally used in Spain. 

All the royal documents issued on this occasion bore equally 

45 the signatures of Ferdinand and Isabella, but her separate crown 
of Castile defrayed all the expense ; and during her life, few per- 
sons, excejDt Castilians, were permitted to establish themselves 
in the new territories. 



17. Governor-general — The chief 
officer in a province. 

24. Within his admiralty. — Under 
and durino- his command. 



33. Capitulations. — Papers of 
agreements. 

40. Don. — A title in Spain former- 
ly given to the noblemen. 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 41 

The port of Palos de Moguer was fixed upon as the place 
where the armament was to be fitted out. 50 

Thus gratified in his dearest wishes, after a course of delays 
and disappointments sufficient to have reduced any ordinary man 
to despair, Columbus took leave of the court on the 12th of May, 
and set out joyfully for Palos. 

On the following morning, the 23d of May, Columbus, accom- 55 
panied by Fray Juan Perez, whose character and station gave 
him great importance in the neighborhood, proceeded to the 
church of St. George in Palos, where the alcalde, the regidors, 
and many of the inhabitants of the place had been notified to 
attend. Here, in presence of them all, in the porch of the 60 
church, a royal order was read by a notary public, commanding 
the authorities of Palos to have two caravels ready for sea within 
ten days after this notice, and to place them and their crews at 
the disposal of Columbus. 

Weeks elaj^sed without a vessel being procured, or an3rthing65 
else being done in fulfillment of the royal orders. Ail kinds of 
obstacles w^ere thrown in the way, by these people and their 
friends, to retard or defeat the voyage. The calkers employed 
upon the vessels did their work in a careless and imperfect man- 
ner, and on being commanded to do it over again absconded. 70 

At length, by the beginning of August, every difficulty was 
vanquished, and the vessels were ready for sea. The largest, 
which had been prepared expressly for the voyage, and was 
decked, was called the Santa Maria; on board of this ship 
Columbus hoisted his flag. The second, called the Pinta, was 75 
commanded by Martin Alonzo Pinzon, accompanied by his 
brother Francisco Martin, as pilot. The third, called the Nina, 
had latine sails, and was commanded by the third of the brothers, 
Vicente Yanez Pinzon. There were three other pilots. There 
were also a physician and a surgeon, together with various pri- 80 

49. Palos.— For location, see map, 75. Hoisted his flag. — Made it the 
p. 6. flag-ship, which bears the colors of 

58. Alcalde.— A Spanish judge. the commaDding oflicer. 



42 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

vate adventurers, several servants, and ninety mariners ; making 
in all one hundred and twenty persons. 

The squadron being ready to put to sea, Columbus, impressed 
with the solemnity of his undertaking, confessed himself to the 

85 Friar Juan Perez, and partook of the sacrament of the commun- 
ion. His example was followed by his officers and crew, and they 
entered upon their enterprise full of awe, and with the most 
devout and affecting ceremonials, committing themselves to the 
especial guidance and protection of Heaven. A deep gloom 

90 was spread over the whole community of Palos at their depart- 
ure, for almost every one had some relative or friend on board of 
the squadron. The spirits of the seamen, already depressed by 
their own fears, were still more cast down at the affliction of 
those they left behind, who took leave of them with tears and 

95 lamentations and dismal forebodings, as of men they were never 
to behold again. 



Oive the meaning of the following imrds : 

Atoned. Bartered. Defrayed. Vanquished. 

Prerogative. Purport. Absconded. Foreboding. 



CHAPTER X. 

Depakture of Columbus on- his First Voyage. 

Whei^ Columbus set sail on this memorable voyage, he com- 
menced a regular journal, intended for the inspection of the 
Spanish sovereigns. Like all his other transactions, it evinces 
how deeply he was impressed with the grandeur and solemnity of 
5 his enterprise. He proposed to keep it, as he afterward observed, 
in the manner of the Commentaries of Caesar. 



84. Confessed himself^partook of the 
sacrament. — Religious ceremonies, 
2. Journal.— A daily record. 



6. Commentaries. — An account of 
Caesar's wars written by Caesar him- 
self. 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 43 

It was on Friday, the 3d of August, 1492, early in the morn- 
ing, that Columbus set sail from the bar of Saltes, a small island 
in front of the town of Huelva, steering in a southwesterly direc- 
tion for the Canary Islands, whence it was his intention to strike lo 
due west. 

The exultation of Columbus at finding himself, after so many 
years of baffled hope, fairly launched on his grand enterj^rise, 
was checked by his want of confidence in the resolution and per- 
severance of his crews. As long as he remained within reach of 15 
Europe, there was no security that in a moment of repentance 
and alarm they might not renounce the prosecution of the 
voyage, and insist on a return. Symptoms soon appeared to 
warrant his apprehensions. On the third day the Pinta made 
signal of distress ; her rudder was discovered to be broken and 20 
unhung. 

This damaged state of the Pinta, as well as her being in a 
leaky condition, determined the admiral to touch at the Canary 
Islands, and seek a vessel to replace her. 

They were detained upward of three weeks among these islands, 25 
seeking in vain another vessel. They were obliged, therefore, to 
make a new rudder for the Pinta, and repair her for the voy- 
age. 

On losing sight of the last trace of land, the hearts of the 
crews failed them. They seemed literally to have taken leave 30 
of the world. The admiral tried in every way to soothe their 
distress, and to inspire them Avith his own glorious antici- 
j)ations. 

He kept two reckonings ; one correct, in which the true way 
of the ship was noted, and which was retained in secret for his 35 
own government ; in the other, which was open to general in- 
spection, a number of leagues was daily subtracted from the sail- 
ing of the ship, so that the crews were kept in ignorance of the 
real distance they had advanced. 

On the 14th of September the voyagers were rejoiced by the 4Q 



34. Reckoning.— A calculation to show a ship's positiou. 



44 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



sight of what they considered harbingers of land. A heron and 
a tropical bird, neither of which is supposed to venture far to 
sea, hovered about the ships. 

The crews were all in high s^Dirits ; each ship strove to get in 

45 the advance, and every seaman was eagerly on the lookout ; for 
the sovereigns had promised a pension of ten thousand maravedis 
to him who should first discover land. Martin Alonzo Pinzon 
crowded all canvas, and, as the Pinta was a fast sailer, he gener- 
ally kept the lead. In the afternoon he hailed the admiral and 

50 informed him that, from the flight of a great number of birds 
and from the appearance of the northern horizon, he thought 
there was land in that direction. 

On the following day there were drizzling showers, unaccom-- 
panied by wind, which Columbus considered favorable signs ; two 

55 boobies also flew on board the ships — birds which, he observed, 
seldom fly twenty leagues from land. 

Notwithstanding his precaution to keep the people ignorant of 
the distance they had sailed, they were now growing extremely 
uneasy at the length of the voyage. They had advanced much 

60 farther west than ever man had sailed before, and though already 
beyond the reach of succor, still they continued daily leaving 
vast tracts of ocean behind them, and pressing onward and 
onward into that apparently boundless abyss. 



Give the meaning of the following words : 
Inspection. Baflled.. Renounce. Prosecution. 



41. Harbinger. — A forerunner. 

42. Tropical bird. — The water- 
wagtail. 

46. Pension. — A reward. Ten 



thousand maravedis (mar-a-va'dees). 
— Thirty dollars. 

48. Canvas. — The sails. 

55. Booby. — A water-fowl. 



cbhistopher columbxjs. 45 



CHAPTER XI. 
Discovery of Laitd. 

The situation of Columbus was daily becoming more and more 
critical. In proportion as he approached the regions where he 
expected to find land, the impatience of his crews augmented. 
What was to become of them should their provisions fail ? 

Columbus was not ignorant of the mutinous disposition of his 5 
crew, but he still maintained a serene and steady countenance ; 
soothing some with gentle words ; endeavoring to stimulate the 
pride or avarice of others, and openly menacing the refractory 
with signal punishment should they do an3^hing to impede the 
voyage. 10 

On the 25th of September the wind again became favorable, 
and they were able to resume their course directly to the west. 
While Columbus, his pilot, and several of his experienced mari- 
ners were studying the map, and endeavoring to make out from 
it their actual position, they heard a shout from the Pinta, 15 
and looking up, beheld Martin Alonzo Pinzon mounted on the 
stern of his vessel, crying, '' Land ! land ! Senor, I claim my 
reward !" He pointed at the same time to the southwest, where 
there was indeed an appearance of land at about twenty-five 
leagues^ distance. Upon this Columbus threw himself on his 20 
knees and retui-ned thanks to God ; and Martin Alonzo repeated 
the Gloria in excehis, in which he was joined by his own crew 
and that of the admiral. 

The morning light, however, put an end to all their hopes, as 
to a dream. The fancied land proved to be nothing but an even- 25 
ing cloud, and had vanished in the night. With dejected hearts 
they once more resumed their western course, from which Colum- 
bus would never have varied, but in compliance with their clam- 
orous wishes. 



46 CHRISTOPB ER COLUMBUS. 

30 For several days they continued on with the same propitious 
breeze, tranquil sea, and mild, delightful weather. 

Eager to obtain the promised pension, the seamen were con- 
tinually giving the cry of land, on the least appearance of the 
kind. To put a stop to these false alarms, which produced con- 

35 tinual disappointments, Columbus declared that should any one 

give such notice, and land not be discovered within three days 

afterward, he should thenceforth forfeit all claim to the reward. 

Flights of small birds of various colors, some of them such as 

sing in the fields, came flying about the ships, and then contin- 

40 ued toward the southwest, and others were heard also flying by 
in the night. The herbage which floated by was fresh and green, 
as if recently from land, and the air, Columbus observes, was 
sweet and fragrant as April breezes in Seville. 

All these, however, were regarded by the crews as so many delu- 

45 sions beguiling them on to destruction ; and when on the even- 
ing of the third day they beheld the sun go down upon a shore- 
less horizon, they broke forth into turbulent clamor. They 
declaimed against this obstinacy in tempting fate by continuing 
on into a boundless s'^a. They insisted upon turning homeward, 

50 and abandoning the voyage as hopeless. Columbus endeavored 
to pacify them by gentle words and promises of large rewards ; 
but finding that they only increased in clamor, he assumed a 
decided tone. He told them it was useless to murmur, the 
expedition had been sent by the sovereigns to seek the Indies, 

55 and, happen what might, he was determined to persevere, until, 
by the blessing of God, he should accomplish the enterprise. 
Columbus was now at open defiance with his' crew, and his 

56. Accomplish the enterprise. — It has been asserted by various historians 
that Columbus, a clay or two previous to coming in sight of the New World, 
capitulated with his mutinous crew, promising, if he did not discover land 
within three days, to abandon the voyage. Fortunately, the extracts from 
the journal of Columbus, written from day to day, with guileless simplicity, 
and all the air of truth, disprove these fables, and show that on the very 
day previous to his discovery he expressed a peremptory determination to 
persevere, in defiance of all dangers and difficulties. 



CHRI8T0PHEB COLUj\fBUS. 47 

situation became desperate. Fortunately the manifestations of 
the vicinity of land were such on the following day as no longer 
to admit a doubt. 60 

In the evening, when, according to invariable custom on 
board of the admiraFs ship, the mariners had sung the '' Salve 
Regina," or vesper hjrmn to the Virgin, he made an impressive 
address to his crew. He pointed out the goodness of God in 
thus conducting them by soft and favoring breezes across a 65 
tranquil ocean, cheering their hopes continually with fresh signs, 
increasing as their fears augmented, and thus leading and guid- 
ing them to a promised land. He now reminded them of the 
orders he had given on leaving the Canaries, that, after sailing 
westward seven hundred leagues, they should not make sail after 70 
midnight. Present appearances authorized such a precaution. 
He thought it probable they would make land that very night ; 
he ordered, therefore, a vigilant lookout to be kept from the 
forecastle, promising to whomsoever should make the discovery 
a doublet of velvet, in addition to the pension to be given by 75 
the sovereigns. 

The breeze had been fresh all day, with more sea than usual, 
and they had made great progress. At sunset they had stood 
again to the west, and were plowing the waves at a rapid rate, 
the Pinta keeping the lead, from her superior sailing. The go 
greatest animation prevailed throughout the ships ; not an eye 
was closed that night. As the evening darkened, Columbus took 
his station on the top of the castle or cabin on the high stern of 
his vessel, ranging his eye along the dusky horizon, and main- 
taining an intense and unremitting watch. About ten o^clock 85 
he thought he beheld a light glimmering at a great distance. 
Fearing his eager hopes might deceive him, he called to Pedro 
Gutierrez, gentleman of the king^s bedchamber, and inquired 
whether he saw such a light ; the latter replied in the affirma- 
tive. Doubtful whether it might not yet be some delusion of tjo 
the fancy, Columbus called Rodrigo Sanchez and made the same 

69. Canaries. — Where are iliey ? \ 75, Doublet. — A waistcoat. * 



48 CHRISTOPHER C0LUMBV8. 

inquiry. By the time the latter had ascended the round-house, 
the light had disappeared. They saw it once or twice afterward 
in sudden and passing gleams ; as if it were a torch in the bark 

95 of a fisherman, rising and sinking with the waves ; or in the 
hand of some person on shore, borne up and down as he walked 
from house to house. So transient and uncertain were these 
gleams that few attached any importance to them ,• Columbus, 
however, considered them as certain signs of land, and, more- 

loo over, that the land was inhabited. 

They continued their course until two in the morning, when 
a gun from the Pinta gave the joyful signal of land. It was 
first descried by a mariner named Rodrigo de Triana ; but the 
reward was afterward adjudged to the admiral, for having pre- 

105 viously perceived the light. The land was now clearly seen 
about two leagues distant, whereupon they took in sail and lay 
to, waiting impatiently for the dawn. 

The thoughts and feelings of Columbus in this little space of 
time must have been tumultuous and intense. At length, in 

no spite of every difficulty and danger, he had accomplished his 

object. The great mystery of the ocean was revealed ; his theory, 

which had been the scoff of sages, was triumphantly established ; 

he had secured to himself a glory durable as the world itself. 

A thousand speculations must have swarmed upon him, as, 

115 with his anxious crews, he waited for the night to pass away, 
wondering whether the morning light would reveal a savage 
wilderness, or dawn upon spicy groves, and glittering fanes, and 
gilded cities, and all the splendor of oriental civilization. 



Give the msaning of the following words: 

Critical. Refractory. Clamor. Transient. 

Augmented. Dejected. Declaimed. Descried. 

Mutinous. Fragrant. Pacify. Reveal. 

Avarice. Turbulent. Unremitting. Fanes. 



CHRISTOPIIKR COL UMBUS. 



49 



CHAPTER XII. 
FiKST Laxdixg of Columbus, ik the New World. 




It was on Friday 
morning, the 12th of 
October, 1492, that 
Columbus first beheld 
the Xew World. As 
the day dawned he 
saw before him a level island, several leagues in extent, and cov- 
ered with trees like a continual orchard. Though apparently 
uncultivated, it was populous, for the inhabitants were seen issu- 
ing from all parts of the woods and running to the shore. They 
were perfectly naked, and, as they stood gazing at the ships, 
appeared by their attitudes and gestures to be lost in astonish- 



Landing of Columbus. 



50 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

ment. Columbus made signal for the ships to cast anchor, and 
the boats to be manned and armed. He entered his own boat, 

15 richly attired in scarlet, and holding the royal standard; while 
Martin Alonzo Pinzon and Vincent Jafiez, his brother, put off in 
company in their boats, each with a banner of the enterprise 
emblazoned with a green cross, having on either side the letters 
F. and Y., the initials of the Oastilian monarchs Fernando and 

20 Ysabel, surmounted by crowns. 

As he approached the shore, Columbus, who was disjoosed for 
all kinds of agreeable impressions, was delighted with the purity 
and suavity of the atmosphere, the crystal transparency of the 
sea, and the extraordinary beauty of the vegetation. He beheld, 

25 also, fruits of an unknown kind upon the trees which overhung 
the shores. On landing he threw himself on his knees, kissed 
the earth, and returned thanks to God with tears of joy. His 
example was followed by the rest, whose hearts indeed overflowed 
with the same feelings of gratitude. Columbus then rising drew 

30 his sword, displayed the royal standard, and assembling round 
him the two captains, the notary of the armament, and the rest 
who had landed, he took solemn possession in the name of 
the Castilian sovereigns, giving the island the name of San 
Salvador. Having complied with the requisite forms and 

35 ceremonies, he called upon all present to take the oath of 
obedience to him, as admiral and viceroy, representing the 
persons of the sovereigns. 

The feelings of the crew now burst forth in the most extrava- 
gant transports. They had recently considered themselves de- 

40 voted men, hurrying forward to destruction; they now looked 
upon themselves as favorites of fortune, and gave themselves up 
to the most unbounded joy. They thronged around the admiral 
with overflowing zeal, some embracing him, others kissing his 
hands. Those who had been most mutinous and turbulent 

45 during the voyage were now most devoted and enthusiastic. 
Some begged favors of him, as if he had already wealth and 
honors in his gift. Many abject spirits, who had outraged him 
by their insolence, now crouched at his feet, begging pardon for 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 51 

all the trouble they had caused him, and promising the blindest 
obedience for the future. 50 

The natives of the island, when, at the dawn of day, they 
had beheld the ships hovering on their coast, had supposed them 
monsters which had issued from the deep during the night. 
They had crowded to the beach and watched their movements 
with awful anxiety. Their veering about, apparently without 55 
effort, and the shifting and furling of their sails, resembling 
huge wings, filled them with astonishment. When they beheld 
their boats approach the shore, and a number of strange beings, 
clad in glittering steel or raiment of various colors, landing 
upon the beach, they fled in affright to the woods. Finding, 60 
however, that there was no attempt *to pursue or molest them, 
they gradually recovered from their terror, and aj)proached the 
Spaniards with great awe; frequently prostrating themselves on 
the earth, and making signs of adoration. During the cere- 
monies of taking possession, they remained gazing in timid ad- 65 
miration at the complexion, the beards, the shining armor and 
splendid dress of the Spaniards. When they had still further 
recovered from their fears, they approached the Spaniards, 
touched their beards, and examined their hands and faces, ad- 
miring their whiteness. Columbus was pleased with their gen- ^o 
tleness and confiding simplicity, and suffered their scrutiny with 
perfect acquiescence, winning them by his benignity. They 
now supposed that the ships had sailed out of the crystal firma- 
ment which bounded their horizon, or had descended from above 
on their ample wings, and that these marvellous beings were in- 75 
habitants of the skies. 

The natives of the island were no less objects of curiosity to 
the Spaniards, differing as they did from any race of men they 

78 Crystal firmament. — The sea. 1 sequent voyages the Spanirirds con- 

75. Inhabitants of the skies.— The versed with the cacique Nicaragua, 

idea that the white men came from he inquired how they came down 



heaven was universally entertained 
by the inhabitants of the New 
\Vprld. When in the course of sub- 



from the skies, whether flying or 
whether they descended on clouds, 



52 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



had ever seen. Their appearance gave no promise of either 

80 wealth or civilization, for they were entirely naked, and painted 
with a variety of colors. 

As Columbus supposed himself to have landed on an island 
at the extremity of India, he called the natives by the general 
appellation of Indians, which was universally adopted before the 

85 true nature of his discovery was known, and has since been ex- 
tended to all the aboriginals of the New World. 

The islanders were friendly and gentle. Their only arms 
were lances, hardened at the end by fire, or pointed with a flint, 
or the teeth or bone of a fish. There was no iron to be seen, 

90 nor did they appear acquainted with its properties; for, when a 
drawn sword was presented to them, they unguardedly took it 
by the edge. 

Columbus distributed among them colored caps, glass beads, 
hawks' bells, and other trifles, such as the Portuguese were ac- 

95 customed to trade with among the nations of the Gold Coast of 
Africa. They received them eagerly, hung the beads round 
their necks, and were wonderfully pleased with their finery, and 
with the sound of tho bells. The Spaniards remained all day on 
shore, refreshing themselves after their anxious voyage amid the 

1 00 beautiful groves of the island, and returned on board late in the 
evening, delighted with all they had seen. 

On the following morning, at break of day, the shore was 
thronged with the natives; some swam ofl to the shijos, others 
came in light barks which they called canoes, formed of a single 

105 tree, hollowed, and capable of holding from one man to the 
number of forty or fifty. These they managed dexterously 
with paddles, and, if overturned, swam about in the water with 
perfect unconcern, as if in their natural element, righting their 
canoes with great facility, and baling them with calabashes. 



94. Hawks' bells. — Bells fastened 
to the feet of hawks which were 
formerly used in hunting wild fowls, 

109. Calabashes. — Scoops made 
from the fruit of the calabash tree, 



The calabashes of the Indians, which 
served the purposes of glass and earth- 
enware, supplying them with all sorts 
of domestic utensils, were produced 
on stately trees of the size of elms, 



CBRISTOPRER OOLVMBUS. 53 

They were eager to procure more toys and trinkets, not, ap- 1 lo 
parently, from any idea of their intrinsic vakie, but because 
everything from the hands of the strangers possessed a super- 
natural virtue in their eyes, as having been brought from heaven; 
they even picked up fragments of glass and earthenware as val- 
uable prizes. 115 

The avarice of the discoverers was quickly excited by the 
sight of small ornaments of gold worn by some of the natives in 
their noses. These the latter gladly exchanged for glass beads 
and hawks' bells; and both parties exulted in the bargain, no 
doubt admiring each other's simplicity. As gold, however, was 120 
an object of royal monopoly in all enterprises of discovery, 
Columbus forbade any traffic in it without his express sanction; 
and he put the same prohibition on the traffic for cotton, reserv- 
ing to the crown all trade for it, wherever it should be found in 
any quantity. 125 

He inquired of the natives where this gold was procured. 
They answered him by signs, pointing to the south, where, he 
understood them, dwelt a king of such wealth that he was served 
in vessels of wrought gold. He understood, also, that there was 
land to the south, the southwest, and the northwest, and that the 130 
people from the last-mentioned quarter frequently proceeded to the 
southwest in quest of gold and precious stones, making in their 
way descents upon the islands, and carrying off the inhabitants. 

The island where Columbus had thus, for the first time, set 
his foot upon the New World was called by the natives Guana- 135 
hane. It still retains the name of San Salvador, which he gave 
to it, though called by the English Cat Island. The light which 
he had seen the evening previous to his making land may have 
been on AYatling's Island, which lies a few leagues to the east. 
San Salvador is one of the great cluster of the Lucayos, or Baha- 140 
ma Islands, which stretch southeast and northwest, from the coast 
of Florida to Hispaniola, covering the northern coast of Cuba. 

On the morning of the 14th of October the admiral set off at 
daybreak with the boats of the ships to reconnoitre the island, 
directing his course to the northeast. The coast was sur- 145 



$4 (JHEISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

rounded by a reef of rocks, within which there w^as depth of 
water and sufficient harbor to receive all the ships in Christen- 
dom. The entrance was very narrow; within there were several 
sand-banks, but the water was as still as in a pool. 

150 The island appeared throughout to be w^ell wooded, with 
streams of water, and a large lake in the center. As the boats 
proceeded, they passed two or three villages, the inhabitants of 
which, men as well as women, ran to the shores, throwing them- 
selves on the ground, lifting up their hands and eyes, either giv- 

155 ing thanks to heaven, or worshiping the Spaniards as super- 
natural beings. They ran along parallel to the boats, calling 
after the Spaniards, and inviting them by signs to land, offering 
them various fruits and vessels of water. Finding, however, 
that the boats continued on their course, many threw them- 

160 selves into the sea and swam after them, and others followed in 
canoes. The admiral received them all with kindness, giving 
them glass beads and other trifles, which were received with 
transport as celestial presents, for the invariable idea of the sav- 
ages was that the white men had come from the skies. 

165 In this Avay they pursued their course until they came to a 
small peninsula, which with two or three days^ labor might be 
separated from the mainland and surrounded with water, and was 
therefore specified by Columbus as an excellent situation for a 
fortress. On this were six Indian cabins, surrounded by groves 

170 and gardens as beautiful as those of Castile. The sailors being 
wearied with rowing, and the island not appearing to the ad- 
miral of sufficient importance to induce colonization, he returned 
to the ships, taking seven of the natives with him, that they 
might acquire the Spanish language and serve as interpreters. 

175 Having taken in a supply of wood and water, they left the 
island of San Salvador the same evening, the admiral being im- 
patient to arrive at the wealthy country to the south, which he 
flattered himseK would prove the famous island of Cipango. 

178. Cipango. — A name meaning the same as Japan — the land of the rising 
sun. 



VttRlSTOPHER COLVMBtiS. 



55 



Give tlie meaning of the folloidng icords : 



Populous. 

Attired. 

Emblazoned. 

Surmounted. 

Suavity. 



Transparency. 

Requisite. 

Transports. 

Abject. 

Hovering. 



Veering. 

Adoration. 

Scrutiny. 

Acquiescence. 

Aboriginals. 



Dexterously. 

Baling. 

Supernatural. 

Quest. 

Interpreters. 



CHAPTER XIII. 
Exploration — Desertion of Pixzon — Shipwreck. 

On the 12th of November, Columbus turned his course to the 
east-south-east, to follow back the direction of the coast. This 
may be considered another critical change in his voyage, which 
had a great effect upon his subsequent discoveries. He had pro- 
ceeded far within what is called the old channel, between Cuba 5 
and the Bahamas. In two or three days more he would have 
discovered his mistake in supposing Cuba a part of terra firma, 
an error in which he continued to the day of his death. It 
was sufficient glory for Columbus, however, to have discovered 
a new world. Its more golden regions were reserved to give 10 
splendor to succeeding enterprises. 

On the 19th Columbus again put to sea. The wind continu- 
ing obstinately adverse and the sea rough, he put his ship about 
toward evening of the 20th, making signals for the other vessels 
to follow him. His signals were unattended to by the Pinta, 15 
which was considerably to the eastward. Columbus repeated the 
signals, but they were still unattended to. Night coming on, 
he shortened sail and hoisted signal lights to the masthead, 
thinking Pinzon would yet join him, which he could easily do, 
having the wind astern; but when the morning dawned the Pinta 20 
was no longer to be seen. 

7. Terra firma.— The solid earth ; the mainland as distinguished from an 
island. 



56 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

Columbus was disquieted by this circumstance. Pinzon was 
a veteran navigator^ accustomed to hold a high rank among his 
nautical associates. Several misunderstandings and disputes 

25 had accordingly occurred between them in the course of the 
voyage, and when Columbus saw Pinzon thus parting company, 
without any appointed rendezvous, he suspected either that he 
intended to take upon himself a separate command and prose- 
cute the enterprise in his own name, or hasten back to Spain 

30 and bear off the glory of the discovery. 

Columbus continued for several days coasting the residue of 
Cuba, extolling the magnificence, freshness, and verdure of the 
scenery, the purity of the rivers, and the number and commo- 
diousness of the harbors. 

35 Though the whole country was solitary and deserted, Colum- 
bus consoled himself with the idea that there must be populous 
towns in the interior. 

The admiral dispatched nine stout-hearted, well-armed men, 
to seek the village, accompanied by a native of Cuba as an 

40 interpreter. They found it in a fine valley, on the banks of 
a beautiful river. It contained one thousand houses, but the 
inhabitants fled as they approached. The interpreter overtook 
them, and assured them of the goodness of these strangers, who 
had descended from the skies, and went about the world making 

45 precious and beautiful presents. 

The Indians now conducted the SjDaniards to their houses, and 
set before them cassava bread, fish, roots, and fruits of various 
kinds. They brought also great numbers of domesticated par- 
rots, and indeed offered freely whatever they possessed. 

50 On the morning of the 24tli of December Columbus set sail 
from Port St. Thomas before sunrise, and steered to the east- 
ward. At eleven o'clock at night, being Christmas eve, Colum- 
bus retired to rest, not having slept the preceding night. 



31-34. Columbus found no gold, 
but discovered tbe bome of tbe po- 
tato and tobacco plant. 



47. Cassava. — A food-substance re- 
sembling tapioca. 



CHRISTOPHER COLVM^m. 57 

No sooner had he retired than the steersman gave the helm in 
charge of one of the ship-boys, and went to sleep. The rest of the 55 
mariners who had the watch took like advantage of the absence 
of Columbus, and in a little while the whole crew was buried in 
sleep. In the mean tim^ the treacherous currents which run 
swiftly along this coast carried the vessel quietly, but with force, 
upon a sand-bank. The heedless boy had not noticed the break- 60 
ers, although they made a roaring that might have been heard 
a league. No sooner, however, did he feel the rudder strike, and 
hear the tumult of the rushing sea, than he began to cry for aid. 
Columbus, whose careful thoughts never permitted him to sleep 
profoundly, was the first on deck. 65 

It was too late to save the ship, the current having set 
her more upon the bank. Fortunately the weather continued 
calm, otherwise the ship must have gone to pieces, and the 
whole crew might have perished amid the currents and break- 
ers. 70 

The chief judge of the armament and the king^s butler were 
immediately sent on shore as envoys to the cacique, to inform 
him of the intended visit of the admiral, and of his disastrous 
shipwreck. 

The habitation of the cacique was about a league and a half 75 
from the wreck. When he heard of the misfortune of his guest, 
he manifested the utmost affliction, and even shed tears. He im- 
mediately sent all his people, with all the canoes, large and 
small, that could be mustered; and so active were they in their 
assistance, that in a little while the vessel was unloaded. The 80 
cacique himself, and his brother and relatives, rendered all the 
aid in their power, both on sea and land, keeping vigilant guard 
that everything should be conducted with order, and the prop- 
erty secured from injury or theft. 

Never, in a civilized country, were the vaunted rights of hos- 85 
pitality more scrupulously observed than by this uncultivated 
savage. 

72. Cacique (ka-seek'). — An Indian chief. 



58 aHRISTOPHEli C0LU3IBUS. 

Guacanagari dined on board of the caravel with the admiral, 
after which he invited him to visit his residence. 

90 After the collation, Guacanagari conducted Columbus to the 
beautiful groves which surrounded his residence. They were at- 
tended b}^ upward of a thousand of the natives, who j^erformed 
several national games and dances which Guacanagari had or- 
dered, to amuse the melancholy of his guest. 

95 Columbus assured him of the protection of the Castilian mon- 
archs, for he let him know that he had weapons far more tre- 
mendous, against which there was no defense. In proof of this 
he ordered a Lombard, or heavy cannon, and an arquebus, to be 
discharged. 

100 Being told that the Spaniards would defend them with these 
arms against their dreaded enemies, the Caribs, their alarm was 
changed into exultation, considering themselves under the pro- 
tection of the sons of heaven, who had come from the skies 
armed with thunder and lightning. 

105 When the Spanish mariners looked back upon their own toil- 
some and painful life, and reflected on the cares and hardships 
that must still be their lot if they returned to Europe, it is no 
wonder that they regarded with a wistful eye the easy and idle 
existence of these Indians. Wherever they went they met with 

no caressing hospitality. They saw gold glittering around them, 
to be had without labor, and every enjoyment to be procured 
without cost. Captivated by these advantages, many of the 
seamen represented to the admiral the difficulties and sufferings 
they must encounter on a return voyage, where so many would 

115 be crowded in a small caravel, and entreated permission to re- 
main in the island. 

The solicitude expressed by many of his people to be left be- 
hind, added to the friendly and pacific character of the natives, 
now suggested to Columbus the idea of forming the germ of a 

120 future colony. The wreck of the caravel would afford materials 

88. Guacanagari. — Pronounced I 98. Arquebus (;ir'qwe-bus). — A 
gwa-cu-na-ga re. I kind of Lanu gun. 



GHRIBTOPHER COLUMBUS. 



59 



to construct a fortress, which might be defended by her guns 
and supplied with her ammunition ; and he could spare provi- 
sions enough to maintain a small garrison for a year. 

No sooner did this idea break upon the mind of Columbus 
than he set about accomplishing it with his accustomed prompt- ^25 
ness and celerity. The wreck was broken up and brought piece- 
meal to shore ; and a site chosen, and preparations made for the 
erection of a tower. 

The fortress being finished, he gave it, as well as the adjacent 
village and the harbor, the name of La Navidad, or The Nativity, isc* 
in memorial of their having escaped from the shipwreck on 
Christmas day. Many volunteered to remain on the island, from 
whom he selected thirty-nine of the most able and exemplary, 
and among them a physician, ship-carpenter, calker, cooper,, 
tailor, and gunner, all expert at their several callings. ^35 



Give the meaning of the following words : 

Astern. Breakers. Scrupulously. 
Rendezvous. Envoys. Captivated. 
Extolling. Mustered. Pacific. 
Treacherous. Vigilant. Garrison. 


Adjacent. 
Nativity. 
Exemplary 
Calker. 


CHAPTER XIV. 





The Depakture for Spaii^ — Meeting akd Partikg of 

THE PiNTA — ExPERIEi^CE Oi^ VOYAGE — RECEPTION AT 

Court. 



It was on the 4:th of January that Columbus set sail from La 
Navidad on his return to Spain. The wind being contrary, they 
were detained for two days in a large bay to the west of the prom- 
ontory. On the 6th they again made sail with a land breeze, and, 
weathering the cape, advanced ten leagues, when the wind again 

5. Weathering the cape.— Passing between the cape and the wind. 



60 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

turned to blow freshly from the east. At this time a sailor, sta- 
tioned at the masthead to look out for rocks, cried out that he 
beheld the Pinta at a distance. The certainty of the fact glad- 
dened the heart of the admiral, and had ati animating effect 

10 throughout the ship ; for it was a joyful event to the mariners 
once more to meet with their comrades, and to have a compan- 
ion bark in their voyage through these lonely seas. 

The Pinta came sweeping toward them, directly before the 
wind. On their first interview, Pinzon endeavored to excuse his 

15 desertion, alleging that he had been compelled to part company 

by stress of weather, and had ever since been seeking to rejoin 

the admiral. Columbus listened passively but dubiously to his 

apologies ; and the suspicions he had conceived appeared to be 

. warranted by subsequent information. 

20 The trade-winds which had been so propitious to Columbus on 
his outward voyage, were equally adverse to him on his return. 
On the 12th of February, as they were flattering themselves 
with soon coming in sight of land, the wind came on to blow 
violently, with a heavy sea ; they still kept their course to 

25 the east, but with great labor and ^^eril. The Pinta was soon 
lost .sight of in the darkness of the night. As the day dawned, 
the sea presented a frightful waste of wild broken waves, lashed 
into fury by the gale ; he looked round anxiously for the Pinta, 
but she was nowhere to be seen. 

30 During this long and awful conflict of the elements, the mind 
of Columbus was a prey to the most distressing anxiety. He" 
feared that the Pinta had foundered in the storm. In such case 
the whole history of his discovery, the secret of the ]N"ew World, 
depended upon his own feeble bark, and one surge of the ocean 

35 might bury it forever in oblivion. 

On the morning of the 15th, at daybreak, the cry of land was 
given by a mariner in the maintop. The transports of the crew, 
at once more gaining sight of the Old World, were almost equal 

20. Trade-winds. — Winds in the torrid zone which blow from one direc- 
tion throughout the year. 



CHRISTOPHER COL UMB US. 61 

to those experienced on first beholding the New. A nearer ap- 
proach proved it to be an island. 40 

On sending the boat to land, Columbus ascertained the island 
to be St. Mary's, the most southern of the Azores, and a posses- 
sion of the crown of Portugal. 

Columbus remained two days at the island of St. Mary's. 
The wind veering, he set sail on the 24th of February, and had 45 
pleasant weather until the 27th, when, being within one hundred 
and twenty-five leagues of Cape St. Vincent, he again en- 
countered contrary gales and a boisterous sea. 

After experiencing several days of stormy and adverse weather, 
about midnight on Saturday, the 2d of March, the caravel was 50 
struck by a squall of wind which rent all her sails. 

In the first watch of this fearful night the seamen gave the 
usually welcome cry of land, but it now only increased the gen- 
eral alarm. Thus the very land they had so earnestly desired 
was a tei'ror to them. 55 

At daybreak on the 4th of March they found themselves at the 
mouth of the Tagus. Though entertaining a strong distrust of 
the good- will of Portugal, the still prevailing tempest left Co- 
lumbus no alternative but to run in for shelter ; he accordingly 
anchored, about three o'clock, to the great joy of the crew, who 60 
returned thanks to God for their escape from so many perils. 

The inhabitants came off from various parts of the shore, con- 
gratulating them upon what they considered a miraculous pres- 
ervation. They had been watching the vessel the whole morn- 
ing with great anxiety, and putting up prayers for her safety. 65 
The oldest mariners of the place assured Columbus they had 
never known so tempestuous a winter ; many vessels had re- 
mained for months in port, weather-bound, and there had been 
numerous shipwrecks. 

Immediately on his arrival Columbus dispatched a courier to 70 
the King and Queen of Spain, with tidings of his discovery. He 
wrote also to the King of Portugal, then at Valparaiso. 

68. Weather-bound. — Detained by bad weather. 



62 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

On the 8th of March a cavalier came with a letter from King 
John^ congratulating Columbus on his arrival^ and inviting him 

75 to the court, which was then at Valparaiso, about nine leagues 
from Lisbon. The king, with his usual magnificence, issued 
orders at the same time that everything which the admiral re- 
quired for himself, his crew or his vessel, should be furnished 
promptly and abundantly, without cost. 

&o Columbus set forth that very evening for Valparaiso, ac- 
companied by his pilot. On approaching the royal residence, 
the principal cavaliers of the king's household came forth to 
meet him, and attended him with great ceremony to the palace. 
His reception by the monarch was worthy of an enlightened 

85 prince. 

Columbus, after being treated with distinguished attention, 
was escorted back to his ship by a numerous train of cavaliers of 
the court. Putting to sea on the 13th of March, he arrived 
safely at the bar of Saltes on sunrise of the 15th, and at mid-day 

90 entered the harbor of Palos ; whence he had sailed on the 3d 
of August in the preceding year, having taken not quite seven 
months and a half to accomplish this most momentous of all 
maritime enterprises. 

The triumphant return of Columbus was a prodigious event in 

95 the history of the little port of Palos, where everybody was more 
or less interested in the fate of his expedition. 

It is a singular coincidence, which appears to be well authen- 
ticated, that on the very evening of the arrival of Columbus at 
Palos, and while the peals of triumph were still ringing from its 

100 towers, the Pinta, commanded by Martin Alonzo Pinzon, like- 
wise entered the river. After her separation from the admiral 
in the storm, she had been driven before the gale into the Bay 
of Biscay, and had made the port of Bayonne. Doubting 
whether Columbus had survived the tempest, Pinzon had im- 

105 mediately written to the sovereigns, giving information of the 
discovery he had made, and had requested permission to come to 
court and communicate the particulars in person. As soon as 
the weather permitted^ he had again set sail^ anticipating Sk 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 63 

triumpliant reception in his native port of Palos. When, on 
entering the harbor, he beheld the vessel of the admiral riding i lo 
at anchor, and learnt the enthusiasm with which he had been 
received, the heart of Pinzon died within him. Getting into 
his boat, therefore, he landed privately and kept out of sight 
until he heard of the admiral's departure. He then returned 
to his home, broken in health and deeply dejected, considering 115 
all the honors and eiilogiums heaped upon Columbus as so many 
reproaches on himself. The reply of the sovereigns to his letter 
at length arrived. It was of a reproachful tenor, and forbade 
his appearance at court. This letter completed his humiliation, 
the anguish of his feeling gave virulence to his bodily malady, 120 
and in a few days he died, a victim to deep chagrin. 

Great was the agitation of the inhabitants of Palos when 
they beheld one of the ships standing up the river; but when 
they learned that she returned in triumph from the discovery of 
a world, the whole community broke forth into transports of joy. 125 
When Columbus landed, the multitude thronged to see and wel- 
come him, and a grand procession was formed to the principal 
church, to return thanks to God for so signal a discovery made 
by the people of that place — forgetting, in their exultation, the 
thousand difficulties they had thrown in the way of the enter- 130 
prise. 

At the court he was treated with like honor, being addressed 
as '^ Don Christopher Columbus, our admiral of the ocean sea, 
and viceroy and governor of the islands discovered in the Indies. ''' 

Those who had treated him with contumely during his long 135 
course of solicitation now sought to efface the remembrance of 
it by adulations. Every one who had given him a little cold 
countenance, or a few courtly smiles, now arrogated to himself 
the credit of having been a patron and of having promoted the 
discovery of the New World. 14c 

About the middle of April Columbus arrived at Barcelona, 
where every preparation had been made to give him a solemn 
and magnificent reception. His entrance into this noble city 
has been compared to one of those triumphs which the Roman? 



64 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 

145 were accustomed to decree to conquerors. First were paraded 
the Indians, painted according to their savage fashion, and deco- 
rated with their national ornaments of gold. After these were 
borne various kinds of live parrots, together with stuffed birds 
and animals of unknown species, and rare plants supposed to be 

150 of precious qualities; while great care was taken to make a con- 
spicuous display of Indian coronets, bracelets, and other decora- 
tions of gold, which might give an idea of the wealth of the 
newly-discovered regions. After this followed Columbus on 
horseback, surrounded by a brilliant cavalcade of SjDanish 

155 chivalry. The streets were almost impassable from the count- 
less multitude; the windows and balconies were crowded with 
the fair; the very roofs were covered with spectators. It seemed 
as if the public eye could not be sated with gazing on these tro- 
phies of an unknown world, or on the remarkable man by whom 

160 it had been discovered. 



Oixe the meaning of the following words: 

Stress. Surge. Momentous. Humiliation. 

Passively. Transports. Dejected. Virulence. 

Apologies. Courier. Keproaches. Malady. 

Foundered. Escorted. Tenor. Arrogated. 



English Classic Series, 

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Classes in Engiisli liiterature, Reading, Grammar, etc. 

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meny. 

17 Coleridge's Ancient Mariner. 

18 Addison's Sir Roger de Cover- 

ley. 

19 Gray's Elegy in a Country 

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35 Wordsworth's Excursion. (Bk.I.) 
26 Pope's Essay on Criticism. 

37 Spenser's Faerie Queene. (Cantos 

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38 Cowper's Task. (Book I.) 

39 Milton's Comus. 

30 Tennyson's Enoch Arden, The 
liOtus Eaters, Ulysses, and 
Tithonus. 



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tions.) 

33 Dickens's Christmas Carol. 
(Condensed.) 

33 Carlyle's Hero as a Prophet. 

34 Macaulay's Warren Hastings. 

(Condensed.) 

35 Goldsmith's Vicar of Wake- 

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3 7 Memory Quotations. 

38 Cavalier Poets. 

39 Dryden's Alexander's Feast, 

and MacFleckhoe. 

40 Keats' The Eve of St. Agnes. 

41 Irving's Legend /of Sleepy Hoi- 

low^. 
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speare. 

43 Le Row's How to Teach Read- 

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54 Burke's Speech on American 

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55 Pope's Rape of the Lock. 

56 Tennyson's Elaine. 

57 Tennyson's In Memoriam. 

58 Church's Story of the ^Eneid. 

59 Church's Story of the Iliad. 

60 Swift's Gulliver's Voyage to 

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61 Macaulay's Essay on Lord Ba- 
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63 The Alcestis of Euripides. Ener- 
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(Additional numbers on next page.) 



English Classic Series— continued. 



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English Version by Thos. Franck- 
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(Selected Poems.) 

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66 Addison, The Spectator, (Serns.) 

67 Scenes frotn Oeorge Eliot's 

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69 BeQuincey'e Joan of Arc. 

70 Carlyle's Essay on Bums, 

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grimage. 
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85 Shelley's Skylark, Adonais, and 

other Poems, 

86 Dickens's Cricket on the 

Hearth. (In preparation.) 

87 Spencer's Philosophy of Style. 

(In preparation.) 

88 I^amb's Essays of Ella, (In 

preparation.) 



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